Copyright is a legal concept that gives creators exclusive rights over their creative works, including the rights to copy, distribute, and license adaptations of the work. Creators automatically receive copyright protections once their creative expression is fixed in a tangible medium, and they retain these rights whether the work is published, unpublished, or shared online. The document outlines different types of copyright licenses and protections, exceptions like fair use, issues around orphan works, and provides guidance on understanding and complying with copyright rules and obtaining permissions to use others' creative works.