# Copyright
Legal protection for original works of authorship, subject to limits and exceptions.
Canonical page: https://givegigs.com/wiki/copyright
Last updated: 2026-11-09T19:00:10.590Z
Parent topic: [money-and-rights](https://givegigs.com/wiki/money-and-rights)
## Contents
- [Overview](#wiki-section-overview-1)
- [Reuse with care](#wiki-section-using-works-2)
- [Public domain and uncertainty](#wiki-section-public-domain-3)
## Overview
Copyright is a legal framework that gives creators or rightsholders specified control over uses of certain original works, subject to exceptions, limitations, and public-domain rules. Protection, duration, ownership, and permitted use differ by jurisdiction and type of work. Attribution alone does not automatically grant permission to reuse a work.
Explore related topics:
- [creative-commons](https://givegigs.com/wiki/creative-commons)
- [intellectual-property](https://givegigs.com/wiki/intellectual-property)
- [open-educational-resources](https://givegigs.com/wiki/open-educational-resources)
## Reuse with care
Before copying, adapting, distributing, or publicly displaying a work, check its license, permissions, and applicable exceptions. Preserve required attribution and license notices, and record the source and version. A platform's ability to display material does not establish that every reuse is authorized.
## Public domain and uncertainty
A work may be in the public domain because protection expired, never applied, or was waived where law permits, but the status can depend on country, authorship, publication history, and other facts. When reuse is important, consult reliable local guidance or obtain permission rather than assuming an online copy is free to use.
## Sources
- [U\.S\. Copyright Office: What Is Copyright?](https://www.copyright.gov/what-is-copyright/)
---
This article is collaboratively maintained. Check the canonical page and cited sources for the latest context.