Copyright is a legal right granted to the creators of original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, as well as sound recordings, films, and software. It provides creators with exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display their work, ensuring that they have control over its use and can profit from it. Copyright protection arises automatically upon the creation of an original work, but registration offers additional legal advantages, such as the ability to sue for infringement and claim statutory damages.