What does it mean for something to be copyrighted?

Copyright means that a creator has exclusive legal rights to their original work, such as literature, music, art, or software. It protects the creator's ability to control how their work is used, distributed, and reproduced, preventing others from using it without permission. Copyright typically lasts for the creator's lifetime plus a set number of years, after which the work may enter the public domain. Infringement of copyright can lead to legal consequences for unauthorized use.