Copyright is the set of exclusive rights granted to creators of original intellectual works, whether literary, artistic, or scientific. It allows authors to control the use of their work and derive economic benefit from it. This applies to many types of creations, including books, plays, pictorial works, films, photographs, music, and software.
This right comprises economic and moral rights. Economic rights give the author the power to authorize or prohibit reproduction, distribution, public performance, translation, or adaptation of their work. These rights can be transferred to third parties and are limited in time: in many countries, they expire 70 years after the author’s death, at which point the work enters the public domain.
Moral rights, on the other hand, are intended to preserve the personal link between the author and their work. They include, in particular, the right to be recognized as the author, the right to respect for the integrity of the work, and the right of withdrawal or repentance, which allows the author to suspend the exploitation of the work.
Copyright arises automatically upon creation of the work, without any obligation to register, although certain steps can offer enhanced legal protection. Respecting these rights plays an essential role in supporting creation and innovation by guaranteeing authors recognition and benefits for their work.