What is one of the criteria for copyright protection?

One of the key criteria for copyright protection is that the work must be original and fixed in a tangible medium of expression. This means that for a piece of work to qualify for copyright, it must be the creator's own expression of ideas and not a mere copy of someone else’s work. Additionally, the work must be captured in some form that can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, such as written on paper, recorded on a device, or saved in digital format. This requirement ensures that the work is not only the result of creativity or intellectual effort but also exists in a form where it can be governed by copyright law.

The aspects of collaborative efforts or commercial viability, while sometimes relevant to certain contexts of creative work, are not requirements for copyright protection. Furthermore, the format in which the work is presented does not affect its eligibility for copyright, as long as the work is fixed in some tangible manner. This recognition of originality and fixation is fundamental to balancing the rights of creators with the interests of the public in accessing and enjoying creative works.