Copyright is a form of intellectual property law that grants the creator of an original work exclusive legal rights to use, reproduce, publish, perform, display, and distribute that work. These rights typically last for the creator’s lifetime plus an additional number of years depending on the jurisdiction (often 50 to 70 years after death).

This protection applies to a wide range of original works including literary creations (books, poems, articles), musical compositions, films, software programs, photographs, and artworks. The purpose is to encourage innovation and creativity by giving authors control over how their work is used and the opportunity to earn income from it.

It’s important to understand that copyright does not protect ideas or facts themselves—it protects the unique way in which those ideas are expressed.