Copyright is the exclusive legal right to reproduce, distribute, and display a creative work. In photography, it belongs to the photographer the moment the image is created, at least in countries that follow the Berne Convention. Registration is not required, though it can help in court. Copyright lasts for the life of the photographer plus a number of years, typically seventy in the United States and the European Union.

Copyright is not the same as ownership of a physical print. Selling a print does not transfer the copyright. It also does not prevent others from making certain uses under fair use or fair dealing, such as criticism, news reporting, or education. Licensing is how photographers grant permission for specific uses, often with fees attached. Creative Commons licenses allow broader sharing under defined conditions. Infringement happens when someone uses an image without permission or beyond the scope of a license. Enforcement is the photographer's responsibility, which is why watermarks, metadata, and registration matter.

What copyright covers

• Reproduction. Making copies of the image.
• Distribution. Selling or sharing the image.
• Derivative works. Creating new works based on the image.
• Public display. Showing the image publicly.

Copyright is automatic, but it is not absolute. Fair use and fair dealing create exceptions, and the line between fair and infringing is often decided in court.