Copyright is a legal protection granted to the creators of original works, such as literature, music, art, and software, giving them exclusive rights to use, reproduce, and distribute their creations. It ensures that creators can control how their work is used and can benefit financially from it. Copyright typically lasts for the creator’s lifetime plus an additional 50 to 70 years, depending on the jurisdiction. This protection encourages creativity and cultural development by safeguarding the rights of authors and artists.