Understanding Copyright Categories for Business:
When you are building a business—whether in publishing, media, tech, or design—copyright is one of the most practical legal tools you will encounter. It determines what can be protected, who owns the rights, and how your investment is safeguarded against unauthorized copying.
Different countries have slightly different approaches, but many systems (including the UK, EU, and most Asian jurisdictions) recognize a number of categories of copyright works. If your creation fits into one of these categories, it may qualify for protection.
Let’s explore the main categories, with real-life examples relevant for entrepreneurs, startups, and content creators.
1. Literary Works
What it means
A “literary work” goes far beyond novels or poetry. It covers anything expressed in writing, code, or notation—whether on paper, digital screen, or any other medium.
Examples for business
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Training manuals for employees
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Blog posts and website content
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Software code and app documentation
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Databases, lists, and compilations
Key point
Even everyday written material can be protected. But very short phrases, titles, or single words usually do not qualify.
2. Dramatic Works
What it means
This category covers works intended for performance. It could be a play, choreography, or even a scripted performance that can be repeated for an audience.
Examples for business
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A choreographed dance used in advertising campaigns
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Scripts for a company’s promotional videos
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Formats for shows, presentations, or entertainment events (if detailed and structured enough)
Key point
The work needs to be something that can actually be performed in a structured way, not just a general idea or loose concept.
3. Musical Works
What it means
This refers to the music itself—not the lyrics or performance, but the composition of sounds and melodies. Importantly, under many legal systems, the words and the music of a song are considered separate works.
Examples for business
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A jingle or tune created for brand identity
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Original sound effects for a video game
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Music compositions for films or ads
Key point
Even short sequences of music can qualify, as long as they are original and not copied from elsewhere.
4. Artistic Works
What it means
Artistic works include both two-dimensional and three-dimensional creations. The quality of the art is not the issue—what matters is that it is fixed in a recognizable form.
Examples for business
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Logos and branding graphics
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Fashion sketches or textile patterns
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Product packaging designs
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Sculptures, models, or architectural drawings
Key point
An “artistic work” does not need to be “fine art.” Even commercial designs, if original, can be protected.
Now, let’s move to the categories that are especially important in today’s digital economy—where media, technology, and global communication dominate.
These forms of copyright are central for entrepreneurs in publishing, film, music, streaming, and content creation.
5. Films
What it means
A film is any recording from which moving images can be produced. This includes cinema, advertising videos, short-form content, and animations.
Examples for business
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Corporate promotional videos or commercials
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Short films for YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram
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Training videos for employees
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Animated content for brand storytelling
Key point
Within one film, there are often multiple separate copyrights: the script, the music, the costumes, and even the set designs may all have their own protection. Businesses should be careful to secure rights to every element.
6. Sound Recordings
What it means
A sound recording covers any recorded sounds, not just music. It could be speech, background effects, or even an audiobook.
Examples for business
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Podcasts produced by a company
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Recorded customer service announcements
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Audiobooks published by an online store
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Sound libraries for games or apps
Key point
Owning a sound recording is different from owning the underlying music or script. For example, recording a musician’s performance doesn’t give you ownership of the song itself unless you’ve agreed on those rights.
7. Broadcasts
What it means
A broadcast is an electronic transmission of content designed for public reception at the same time—like TV or radio. Some internet transmissions can qualify if they are live or scheduled.
Examples for business
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Live-streaming a company product launch
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Broadcasting sports events to a TV channel
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Radio shows with music and advertisements
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Simultaneous live online and TV streaming
Key point
Simply posting content on a website is not a broadcast. To count, it needs to be transmitted in a way where the audience receives it at the same time.
8. Published Editions
What it means
This protection covers the typographical arrangement of a published edition—the way a publisher lays out text, not the text itself.
Examples for business
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The specific design of a book or magazine edition
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The page layout of a business report
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The structure and typesetting of a new edition of public domain works (like Shakespeare)
Key point
The publisher’s effort in formatting and design is protected separately from the underlying content. This ensures that even old works, when republished in a new layout, can generate new rights.
Final Thoughts
For entrepreneurs, understanding copyright categories is more than legal theory—it’s a practical tool:
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Content creators can protect their work across different media.
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Startups can secure their brand assets, from jingles to logos.
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Publishers and media companies can protect layouts, formats, and broadcasts.
Knowing which category your work belongs to helps you protect your investment, avoid legal disputes, and create additional revenue streams in the global marketplace.
Q1: Which of these is a Literary Work under copyright law?
A company's employee training manual
A choreographed dance for an ad campaign
A jingle used for brand identity
Q2: What does a Dramatic Work protect?
Structured performances like scripts or choreography
Any creative idea written in a notebook
Page layouts and typography of a printed book
Q3: What is protected as a Published Edition?
The specific layout and typesetting of a new book edition
The written content of the book itself
A song used in the book's promotional video
