The US Constitution gives Congress the power to enact copyright laws to promote creativity. Current copyright law protects original works when they are fixed in a tangible form, including literature, music, images, and software. The owner has rights to copy, distribute, publicly perform and display, and make derivatives of the copyrighted work. Fair use allows limited copying for purposes like education or commentary. Infringement occurs through unauthorized use, such as using an image beyond the scope of a license. Respecting copyright avoids penalties like monetary damages and loss of creative control over one's work.