Copyright is a form of legal protection that allows authors, photographers, composers, and other creators to control some reproduction and distribution of their work.

There are several different rights that come along with copyright. In general, copyright holders have the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following:

• Reproduce the work in the whole or in part
• Prepare derivative works, such as translations, dramatizations, and musical arrangements
• Distribute copies of the work by sale, gift, rental, or loan
• Publicly perform the work
• Publicly display the work

These rights have exceptions and limitations, including the "fair use" provisions, which allow certain uses without permission of the copyright holder.

UofL acknowledges the University of Michigan for this information.