FAQ/What is a work?

 

{FAQ} What is a work?

Under the copyright Act, the term “work” means “a creatively produced expression of thoughts or sentiments that falls within the literary, academic, artistic, or musical domain.”

Given the definition of a “work” mentioned above, a work that is protected must meet all of the requirements below:

① A work must be a creation in which “thoughts or sentiments are expressed.”

(e.g.) Simple data, mere facts, and discoveries are excluded.

② A work must be “an expression of thoughts or sentiments.”

(e.g.) Ideas, concepts, and methods are excluded.

③ A work must be a creation in which thoughts or sentiments are expressed “in a creative way.”

(e.g.) Imitations and bootlegs are excluded.

④ A work must be “within the literary, scientific, artistic, or musical domain.”

(e.g.) Industrial products are excluded.

 

(ref.) Art.2(Scope of Copyright Protection) of WIPO Copyright Treaty

Copyright protection extends to expressions and not to ideas, procedures, methods of operation or mathematical concepts as such.

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