Copyright law is a legal framework that provides creators of original works with certain exclusive rights to control the use and distribution of their works. Copyright law protects creative works such as literature, music, art, film, and software, as well as other intellectual property such as trademarks and patents.
Under copyright law, the creator of a work has the exclusive right to do the following with their work:
- reproduce the work
- distribute copies of the work to the public
- create derivatives of the work
- display the work publicly
Copyright law also gives the creator of a work the right to control who can use their work and under what circumstances. For example, a copyright holder may allow others to use their work for free or may charge a fee for its use.
Copyright law is intended to encourage the creation and dissemination of creative works by providing creators with legal protection for their works. It also serves to ensure that creators are fairly compensated for the use of their works.