To receive copyright protection, the work must be, among other things, an original work of authorship. 17 U.S.C § 102 offers examples of works of authorship. These are:
- Literary works
- Musical works and accompanying words
- Dramatic works and accompanying music
- Pantomimes and choreography
- Pictures, graphics and sculptures
- Movies and audiovisual works
- Sound recordings
- Architecture
The work of authorship must be fixed in a tangible medium of expression from which the work can be perceived, reproduced or otherwise communicated either directly or with the help of a machine or device. Ideas, procedures, proccesses, systems, methods of operation, concepts, principles, or discoveries are not copyrightable, regardless of their form.
[Last updated in July of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team]