Copyright is a bundle of rights for creators who make an original work in a fixed medium. It allows creators (or owners of copyright) to distribute, perform, reproduce, display, sell, or make derivatives of their work. Copyright protections are granted to a creator the moment their work is in a fixed, tangible form. In other words, the moment when an idea, image, lyric, or other work can be seen, heard, or touched is when a copyright is granted! Copyright can also be transferred; for example, a scholar may transfer the copyright for an article to a publisher. Copyright can also be shared in a case where more than 1 person contributed or collaborated to a creation.
See our Research Guides for information and curated lists of authoritative information, books and other material on copyright.