Teaching and Learning Resource Center

Copyright

Definition

A bundle of rights that protect original works of authorship and include the right to reproduce, create derivatives, distribute, publish, perform, and display a work, as well as to prepare derivative works. Copyright was established in the U.S. Constitution to "promote the progress of science and the useful arts" (U.S. Const. art. I, § 8) by giving authors control over their works for a limited time. Learn more about copyright.