Books, articles, poems, essays, blog posts, reports

Compositions, sheet music, accompanying lyrics

Plays, scripts, choreography (when sufficiently fixed)

Paintings, drawings, photographs, illustrations, sculptures, designs (with limits for useful articles)

Films, TV shows, videos, streaming content

Recorded performances, podcasts, studio recordings (separate from the musical composition)

Building designs, plans, certain constructed works

Source code/object code; database selection/arrangement (not raw facts)

Independently created by the author

Minimal degree of creativity

Must be captured in a stable form

Examples: written down, recorded, saved digitally, filmed

Human authorship is generally required

Joint works possible when creators intend to merge contributions

Expired copyrights, ineligible works, or works dedicated to the public

Making copies in any format (print, digital, backups)

Adaptations, translations, remixes, sequels, dramatizations

Selling, transferring, leasing, lending copies to the public

Performing works publicly (plays, music, films, streaming in public venues)

Showing the work publicly (art, photos, pages of a book)

Certain online streaming transmissions

Users must obtain authorization for covered activities

Licenses can be exclusive or non-exclusive

Royalties, sales, subscriptions, sync licenses, publishing deals

Injunctions to stop use

Monetary damages (actual damages/profits; sometimes statutory damages)

Possible recovery of legal fees in some systems

Moral rights may include attribution and integrity protections

The author/creator initially owns the copyright

Employer may own rights when created within employment scope

Certain commissioned works may qualify if specific legal conditions are met

Co-owners may share rights; each can often license subject to accounting rules (varies)

Rights can be sold or assigned, typically in writing

Permission to use under defined terms (scope, territory, duration, media, fee)

Contracts can allocate or split rights across parties

Common model: life of the author plus a set number of years

Works made for hire, anonymous/pseudonymous works may have alternative terms

Work enters the public domain and can be used freely

Stronger enforcement options, easier proof of ownership/date, eligibility for certain damages (varies)

May deter infringement and clarify ownership (even if not required)

Purposes may include criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, research

Often considers factors such as purpose, nature, amount used, and market effect

Limited copying/archiving under specific conditions

Parody often receives stronger protection than satire (varies)

Resale of lawfully purchased copies may be allowed, but not copying

Some systems allow incidental copies necessary for technology processes

Uploading or sharing copyrighted movies/music without permission

Copying text/images into a website without licensing

Using a song in a video without sync/master rights

Distributing software cracks or unauthorized copies

Was a protected work copied?

Was the copying substantial (qualitatively/quantitatively)?

Does an exception apply?

Takedown notices and counter-notices (platform and jurisdiction dependent)

Content ID/fingerprinting systems

Protects brands/identifiers (names, logos) to prevent consumer confusion

Protects inventions and functional innovations for a shorter term (requires application)

Protects confidential business information while secrecy is maintained

Protect use of a person’s likeness/identity (separate from copyright)

Keep drafts and dated records; store source files and metadata

Use clear licensing terms (e.g., custom licenses or Creative Commons where suitable)

Consider registration if enforcement is likely

Assume works are protected unless clearly public domain or licensed

Verify license scope (commercial use, attribution, derivatives)

Use properly sourced media and maintain permission records

When uncertain, seek permission or legal advice

Online availability does not equal permission

Attribution alone does not replace a license or exception

Small changes can still infringe if substantial expression is copied

Copyright typically arises automatically; mailing does not replace legal proof mechanisms

Others need permission to reproduce, post, or sell it (unless an exception applies)

Song composition and sound recording are separate rights with different owners possible

Code is protected; the underlying idea/algorithm concept may not be (though patents may apply)