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Business Terms
Copyright
Definition
Legal protection for original creative works, giving the creator exclusive rights.
Overview
Copyright protects original works of authorship—writing, art, music, software, etc. It exists automatically upon creation but can be registered for stronger protection.
Example
A writer automatically holds copyright to their blog posts, giving them control over reproduction and distribution.
Best Practices
Include copyright notices on work. Register important works for stronger legal protection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Thinking registration is required
Not addressing in contracts
Infringing others' copyrights
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register copyright?
Copyright exists automatically, but registration provides stronger legal protection and is required to sue for infringement in the US.