Copyright law protects original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright protection is automatic and works are protected from the moment they are created (whether they bear the © symbol or not). Included among such original works are the following:

• Literary works
• Musical works, including any accompanying words
• Dramatic works, including any accompanying music
• Pantomimes and choreographic works
• Pictorial, graphic and sculptural works
• Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
• Sound recordings
• Architectural works

The colorful painting depicted above and at various other places in this tutorial, "Jamming at the Savoy" by Romare Beardon, is an original creation (a pictorial or graphic work) protected by copyright law. In fact, the painting itself depicts a copyrighted work: a musical performance. The musicians featured in the painting likely were performing a copyrighted musical work, as well. Perhaps it was a work they authored themselves, or perhaps it was another musician's work (in which case, their public performance of the music may have been subject to copyright restrictions, too!). Amazing, isn't it? Who would have guessed that a single work of art could produce such a discussion of copyright!