What is protected?

A copyright protects the expression of an idea, like how you write a story or draw a picture.

Imagine you have a favorite toy that makes noise when you press it. That’s your special toy, and no one else has exactly the same one. Now imagine you describe it to your friend in a letter, you tell them what it looks like, how it works, and even how it sounds. Your letter is protected by copyright because it's your way of describing that toy.

• Your words, like the story you write
• Your art, like the picture you draw
• Your music, like the song you make

These are all different ways to express an idea, just like your letter is a way to express what your toy does.

• The idea itself, like the fact that your toy makes noise
• The words you use if someone else uses them too, like if your friend writes almost the same letter

So copyright helps people know whose idea was expressed first, just like it helps you know who made your special toy! A copyright protects the expression of an idea, like how you write a story or draw a picture.

Imagine you have a favorite toy that makes noise when you press it. That’s your special toy, and no one else has exactly the same one. Now imagine you describe it to your friend in a letter, you tell them what it looks like, how it works, and even how it sounds. Your letter is protected by copyright because it's your way of describing that toy.