Copyright protects original creative works, such as drawings, photographs, written works, computer programs, sculptures, music and films.

Copyright protects only the form in which original works are expressed, not the idea behind them.

Copyright arises automatically when an original work is created, and in most countries, including the United Kingdom, there is no system for registering copyright. Because of this, it is important to keep detailed records in case there is a need to establish the existence and ownership of copyright.

Copyright is infringed only by actually copying – directly or indirectly – a protected work, although it is worth noting that the copied work does not have to be identical to the original. Ultimately, if the alleged infringer can prove that they created their similar work independently, without copying, there is no copyright infringement.

For more detailed information about copyright, please download our information sheet.