Copyright exists to protect the intellectual standing and economic rights of creators and publishers of all literary, dramatic, artistic, musical, audiovisual and electronic works. As long as the work is original, copyright protection is automatic. In the UK where there is no registration or other procedures to follow, copyright exists whether or not it is asserted using the © symbol or otherwise.
The law governing copyright in the UK is the Copyright, Design and Patents Act (CDPA) 1988 and amendments.
See also further copyright information and guidance produced by The Intellectual Property Office.
