![\"\"](\"https:\/\/copyrightcover.com\/Guides\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nYou\u2019ve come up with a great idea \u2013 for a book, a song, a video clip, an invention, or some other original work. Obviously, you want to protect your idea from theft. So you\u2019re naturally wondering if you can copyright your idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The answer may be confusing: yes AND no. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the UK, and around the world, The law<\/a> applies only to something tangible<\/em>. Which means something that\u2019s already been written, recorded, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But there are still ways to keep your idea safe. This article will explore in detail what copyright means so you can find out how best to protect all<\/em> your great ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term tangible is defined as something that can be seen, heard, or touched. The idea of tangible and \u2018intangible\u2019 are used in intellectual property (IP) law<\/a> to separate \u2018ideas\u2019 from \u2018products’. Since ideas themselves aren\u2019t tangible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It cannot be touched, seen, or heard. Under UK law<\/a>, they cannot be copyrighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Say you have a brilliant idea for a TV show about a doctor working in A&E. The idea itself isn\u2019t tangible and you can\u2019t copyright it. However, the minute you write a script, screenplay, format, or treatment \u2013 or start filming or sound recording, those products are considered tangible and are protected by copyright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s dive in a bit deeper to find out what that means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Copyright is designed to protect the rights of creators. It is a form of protection for intellectual property (IP) \u2013 potentially marketable ideas and concepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other IP terms you may be familiar with are trade mark, service mark, patent, and registered design. These are legal definitions aimed at protecting different types of IP \u2013 for example, a unique business logo, slogan, product design, or drawing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Copyright is a specific type of protection that authors and other artistic or literary creators receive simply by recording their ideas in a unique, original form. This means you control your idea and you get to decide who uses it, and in which ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, if you are an author, you get to decide who publishes your books. If you are a songwriter, copyright means you can receive royalties whenever anyone plays your songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve got good news and bad news when it comes to protecting your ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat are \u2018tangible\u2019 and \u2018intangible\u2019?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a copyright?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How do I copyright<\/a> my work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n