What can be protected?
- Works that are the result of the creator’s original and creative effort.
- The form or expression of the work – not the idea itself.
- Examples include musical compositions, written works, films, paintings, sculptures, software, maps, and more.
Conditions for protection
- Copyright arises automatically when the work is created – no registration is required.
- The work must be created by a person.
- The work must meet the threshold of originality, meaning it must reflect individual creative effort.
What does exclusive right mean?
The creator has the exclusive right to make copies of the work and to make it available to the public. This includes commercial rights such as selling (in whole or in part), displaying, or performing the work.
Non-economic rights in copyright
Non-economic rights protect the creator’s personal connection to their work and are separate from commercial rights.
Right to be credited
The creator has the right to be credited when the work is used – for example, when quoting from a scientific publication. This right applies even if the commercial rights have been transferred to someone else.
Respectful use
The work must not be used in a way that is offensive to the creator. This includes protection against alterations that may harm the integrity of the work.
Non-transferable and non-waivable
Non-economic rights cannot be transferred or waived by agreement. These rights are intended to safeguard the creator’s personal link to their creative work.
