What is copyright? (Shelby)

Copyright protects anything that is your work so that no one else can use it, make copies, distribute copies, perform it,display it, or change it without your permission. There are many things that can be copyrighted, these things include books, any literary works, computer software, art, movies, plays, sound recordings and architectural works. But, some things cannot be copyrighted, like ideas or titles or performances that are not recorded. Don't worry though, everything you make is automatically copyrighted as soon as you finish it, ensuring that no one else can use that information unless you give them permission. If someone else uses your work, without your permission, this is called copyright infringement, and can be a serious crime. The person who stole your work could have to pay a fine which can range depending on the value of the stolen work. There are some exceptions though, if you had written something for your boss, this would be called a work made for hire, and your employer would own the copyright to your work. Also, if you worked on a project with a partner or partners, each of you are co-owners of the copyright, instead of one person, unless agreed otherwise. Sometimes, authors or artists put there work under a Creative Commons, where anyone can use their work, they can make it so no one can use it for commercial purposes or to make a profit, or require the user of the work to give credit to the original author. They can also put it under an ND or non derisive which prevents the work from being modified or a share alike which lets the user modify or display the work, as long as it is published under the Same license. Copyright can be very useful in securing that no one else can steal your work.