Copyright Registration
Imagination is the starting point of creation. The ability to envision new ideas leads to innovations in art, literature, music, videos, and other creative works. Copyright registration protects this creativity and encourages creators by ensuring they receive proper credit for their work. While it is not mandatory, copyright safeguards the rights of creators against infringement, preventing others from copying, using, or claiming ownership of their original ideas. By securing copyright, creators are assured recognition and protection, which not only motivates further innovation but also contributes to social and economic development. Copyright provides a form of exclusive control, inspiring artists and creators to continue producing valuable work.
Copyright registration safeguards creativity, which plays a vital role in social and economic development. The exclusive rights granted to an artist or creator encourage them to produce more original work. Almost everything we encounter in daily life—from newspaper articles to new recipes—has been created by someone. Owning the expression of these ideas allows creators to earn a livelihood by developing and sharing their work. However, it is important to note that not all ideas or creations are eligible for copyright protection.
For a work to be eligible for copyright, it must meet three essential elements: originality, fixation, and expression. The work must demonstrate a basic level of originality, regardless of its quality. However, titles, short phrases, facts, and universal truths are not protected under copyright or trademark laws.
A work must also be “fixed in a tangible medium,” meaning it exists in a permanent form. For example, a sand sculpture by itself cannot be copyrighted because it is not fixed. However, a photograph of the sculpture captures it in a reproducible medium, making that image eligible for copyright.
While ideas themselves cannot be copyrighted, the expression of those ideas can be. For instance, if you develop an advertising campaign with original content, competitors cannot copy your content, although they may use the underlying idea. Similarly, a filmmaker may conceive the idea of a smart, flying superhero, which cannot be copyrighted. However, the actual movie created around that concept—like a Superman film—can be copyrighted.
