Infringing copyright

The laws of copyright, in general, protects "original works of authorship" including the following broad categories: literary works, musical works, dramatic works, pantomimes, pictorial, graphic, sculptural works, motion pictures, sound recordings, and architectural works. Laws protect only a work's expression, not its underlying ideas; for example, one cannot copyright a machine process for manufacturing shoes. Copyright protection attaches when the work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Once in place, it extends to the embodiment of the work itself, protecting against unlicensed reproduction, distribution, display, performance, or modification of the copyrighted work. Remedies for infringement may include injunctive relief; monetary relief in the form of damages (lost profits), profits (gained by defendant in excess of lost profits) or statutory damages; impoundment and destruction of infringing material; criminal penalties; and legal costs.