When does copyright exist in a work?

A work can be copyrighted if it is an original work of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright does not protect ideas, principles, concepts or discoveries.

The copyright in a work is created when the work is actually fixed. Examples of copyrightable works include literary works; musical works, including accompanying words; dramatic works, including accompanying music; pantomimes and choreographic works; pictorial, graphic and sculptural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; sound recordings; and architectural works.