Copyrighted material refers to original works of authorship that are protected by law. This includes various forms of creative expression such as books, music, films, and art. The creator of the work holds exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their creation, preventing others from using it without permission. Copyright protection typically lasts for the life of the creator plus a certain number of years, depending on the jurisdiction. This legal framework encourages creativity by ensuring that creators can benefit from their work while also allowing for certain exceptions, such as fair use, which permits limited use without permission under specific circumstances.