Copyright ©
Copy & Meaning

A copyright symbol — the internationally recognized © mark that asserts ownership of original creative works and the legal rights protecting their reproduction and use. Copyright automatically attaches to original works when created — books, music, art, software, and countless other creative outputs. The © symbol formally notifies others that the work is protected.

Fair use, Creative Commons, and public domain represent exceptions and alternatives to strict copyright. Used for intellectual property discussions, content creator rights, original work attribution, creative licensing discussions, copyright law and education, and the protection of creators' rights to control and benefit from their original work.