Copyright is the exclusive legal right of the creator of an original work to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material. It protects the expression of ideas, not the ideas themselves.

Copyright applies automatically upon creation in many countries and lasts for the life of the author plus a number of years, often 70. It covers books, music, films, software, and art. Fair use or fair dealing provisions allow limited use without permission for purposes such as criticism, news, and education.

Key points

• Exclusive right to original works
• Protects expression, not ideas
• Automatic upon creation
• Limited by fair use provisions