Major international copyright treaties apply copyright to general categories of works (some countries may offer variations):

  • Literary and artistic works
  • Translations, adaptations, arrangements of music and alterations of literary and artistic works
  • Collections of literary and artistic works.

Additionally, depending on the country, it may include:

  • Applied art and industrial designs and models, and
  • Computer software.

What is NOT copyrightable?

  • Copyright does not protect facts or ideas; it only protects the expression of those facts or ideas.
  • Some governments make special provisions; for example, the US government works are meant to be dedicated to the public domain because the works are considered public resources.

Protection criterion to attract copyright protection

FIXATION: a work must be in permanent/fixed form  (except broadcasts)

ORIGINALITY: a work must be original for skill, labour, judgment and author’s intellectual creation

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The author takes no responsibility for the content of this page, which is not intended as binding legal advice. The views are about copyright in the UK Higher Education sector context.