Copyright is not an unlimited right. It is a limited
monopoly granted by the government that gives the
content creator exclusive rights over their ‘original
expression’ for a limited amount of time, usually
defined as the length of the author’s life plus a
certain number of years (under current law, 70). It
allows for control over the reproduction and public
dissemination of the original expression, along
with the benefits that flow therefrom. Copyright is
distinct from other forms of intellectual property in
that it does not require registration.
Protection is provided under
relevant laws as soon as the original
expression is made.
Copyright is granted with the
aim of incentivising investment
in the production of creative
works and in turn aiding