Copyright Basics

Copyright is the term used to describe the exclusive rights given to creators of original literary, artistic, dramatic or musical works, so that they can publish, reproduce, perform or produce such works.

Copyright protection is automatic when you create an original work such as sound and music recordings, films; when you write a book or poem; or when you develop new software.

As soon as your work is recorded, you can mark it with the copyright symbol (©) along with your name and the year of creation. Whether or not your work is marked with a ©, it is protected by copyright.