What does copyright protect?

Copyright protects original works created by an author, which includes a wide range of creative expressions such as literary works, music, art, and software. To qualify for copyright protection, a work must be fixed in a tangible medium of expression and exhibit a degree of creativity. This can encompass both published and unpublished works, as long as they are original to the author.

The protection provided by copyright does not extend to facts, ideas, methods, or mathematical formulas, as these are considered to be in the public domain and not capable of being owned. Common knowledge and ideas likewise are not protected by copyright, as they can be freely used by anyone. This helps to ensure a balance between protecting the rights of creators and allowing the dissemination of information and cultural products. Thus, the focus on original works by authors underscores the main purpose of copyright, which is to encourage creativity and the creation of new content.