What does copyright primarily protect?

Copyright primarily protects works of authorship that have been expressed in a fixed form. This means that copyright covers the specific expression of ideas, such as books, music, films, software, and other creative works, as long as they are recorded in some way that can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated. The focus is on the tangible manifestation of these works rather than the underlying ideas or concepts themselves.

For example, a novel's text, a song's melody, or the blueprint of a building—all represent original works of authorship, which copyright law protects from unauthorized use. This protection helps ensure that creators can control how their works are used and can benefit financially from them.

While the other options mention aspects related to creativity or idea sharing, they misrepresent the scope and purpose of copyright law. Copyright does not extend to the mere idea behind a work unless that idea has been articulated or manifested in a specific form. This distinction is fundamental to understanding how copyright operates and its role in promoting creativity while allowing for the consideration of public access to knowledge and ideas.