Copyrighted works are original creations that are protected by law, giving the creator exclusive rights to use and distribute their work. This includes various forms of expression such as literary works, music, art, and films. Copyright ensures that the creator can control how their work is used and can benefit financially from it. To qualify for copyright protection, a work must be fixed in a tangible form, meaning it can be seen or heard. Copyright does not cover ideas or facts, only the specific expression of those ideas. Once a work is created, copyright protection is automatically granted, typically lasting for the creator's lifetime plus an additional number of years.