Copyright protection is automatic once a work is fixed in a tangible form. Copyright holders have the exclusive rights to copy, distribute, perform and display their work. One must obtain permission from the copyright owner to use a copyrighted work. Copyright lasts for the life of the creator plus 70 years. While ideas cannot be copyrighted, certain uses of copyrighted works, such as for commentary, news reporting or research, may be allowed under the fair use doctrine by considering the purpose, nature, amount and effect of the use. Plagiarism involves passing off someone else's words or ideas as your own without properly attributing the source.