Edwin H. Mookini Library
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What is Copyright?

Copyright is a form of protection given to authors of original works. The word copyright means the exclusive right of authors to make copies of their works. This includes literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works.

Authors have the right to control the use of their work in the following areas:

  1. Reproduction
  2. Preparation of a derivative work
  3. Public distribution
  4. Public performance
  5. Public display
  6. Public performance of audio by digital means
The purpose of copyright is to encourage creativity by authors and artists. In the U.S., Congress has the power to grant copyright to authors through a clause in the Constitution.

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