The principles of copyrighting (more precisely, copyright law ) refer to the foundational ideas that govern how original works of authorship are protected legally. These principles are meant to balance the rights of creators with the public’s interest in accessing and using creative works. Here are the key principles of copyright : 1. Originality The work must be original — created independently by the author and not copied. It should involve a minimal degree of creativity (not necessarily novelty or uniqueness). 2. Fixation in a Tangible Medium The work must be fixed in a tangible form — written, recorded, filmed, typed, etc. Ideas alone are not protected ; only their expressed form is protected. 3. Authorship and Ownership The person who creates the work is the copyright owner , unless it's a "work for hire". Rights can be transferred or licensed to others. 4. Exclusive Rights Under copyright, creators have the exclusive rights ...