Managing your copyright

Copyright is an important form of protection for intellectual property. It protects creators' rights in original works, such as a piece of writing, a film or music. Copyright comes into existence as soon as the work is recorded in some way.

This guide explains your economic rights from owning copyright. It tells you how to use your copyright and what different types of copyright licences you can use to protect your work. 

It also advises on copyright assignment and tells you how to sell or transfer your copyright, license or buy other people's copyright, and find a copyright owner. Finally, it explains what collecting societies and licensing bodies are and what they do.