The copyright symbol, represented as ©, is a legal mark used to indicate that a work is protected by copyright law. This symbol signifies that the creator of the work holds exclusive rights to its use and distribution, preventing others from copying or using it without permission. It is commonly found on various forms of creative content, including books, music, films, and software. When a work displays the copyright symbol, it is often accompanied by the year of first publication and the name of the copyright owner. This information helps to establish the duration of protection and the individual or entity responsible for the work, ensuring that creators like authors, musicians, and artists can safeguard their intellectual property.