Copyright

copyright: the right to deal exclusively in certain types of works – for example literary works (including computer software), dramatic, musical or artistic works, sound recordings, films and broadcasts – that is now conferred in England and Wales by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The owner of a copyright work has the exclusive right to reproduce the work and can prevent others from doing so without permission (by taking action himself or using copyright infringement solicitors); copyright vests automatically upon creation of a work (provided certain qualifying conditions are met), so the owner of a copyright work does not need to register the work with an official body in order to assert copyright.