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What Does Copyright Protect?

Copyright protects the following works:

Literary Works including, books, novels, essays, computer programs, poems and articles.
A Literary work may be utilitarian or formal but not very short . It may include compilations but requires sufficient skill and labour or creative effort to attract copyright protection. Generally, works such as lists or tables of facts will not be protected by copyright.
(copying allowances)

Artistic Works including, paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings, photographs, maps, plans, buildings or works of artistic craftsmanship.
Artistic works are not subject to a requirement for artistic merit.
(copying allowances)

Dramatic Works including, plays, screenplays and choreography.
(copying allowances)

Musical Works. Music embodies several related but distinct rights (of the owner) under copyright.  These rights include reproducing the work by hand copying, photocopying, recording or filming and performing the work in public, making an arrangement or transcription or a translation (lyrics) of a musical work, and communicating the work to the public by any technological means.
(copying allowances)

Sound Recordings. Copyright in sound recordings include the right to make a copy of a sound recording, playing a sound recording in public and communicating a sound recording to the public by any means of technology.
(copying allowances)

Computer Programs. Computer programs are protected as literary works under the Copyright Act (see 'literary works' above).

Films. Films contain copyright in the visual images and sounds in the soundtrack as well as separate copyright in the music and scripts used in the films.
(copying allowances)

Broadcasts. Copyright exists in the broadcast programs on Television and Radio, in addition to the copyright contained in the films, music and other works that constitute the broadcast.
(copying allowances)

Published Editions. Copyright exists in the typography and layout of a published edition of a work in addition to the copyright of the work itself.
(copying allowances)

(For further assitance or information contact the Copyright Officer)
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