What are the types of works that can be protected by copyright, and what are the key elements of a copyright infringement claim?

Copyright protection is available for a broad range of original creative works, including literary, artistic, musical, and other types of works. In general, copyright protects original expressions of ideas, rather than the underlying ideas themselves. The following are some examples of works that can be protected by copyright:

1. Literary works: This includes books, articles, poetry, and other written works.
2. Artistic works: This includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and other visual art.
3. Musical works: This includes songs, instrumental compositions, and other musical compositions.
4. Audiovisual works: This includes movies, television shows, and other video content.
5. Computer software: This includes code, programs, and applications.
6. Architectural works: This includes building designs and plans.
7. Choreographic works: This includes dance routines and other types of choreography.

To claim copyright infringement, a copyright owner must show that someone else copied their original work without permission. The following are the key elements of a copyright infringement claim:

1. Ownership: The copyright owner must prove that they own a valid copyright in the work that was allegedly infringed.
2. Access: The copyright owner must show that the alleged infringer had access to the copyrighted work.
3. Substantial similarity: The copyright owner must demonstrate that the alleged infringing work is substantially similar to the original copyrighted work. This requires a side-by-side comparison of the two works to determine if the allegedly infringing work copies the protectable elements of the original work.
4. Copying: The copyright owner must show that the alleged infringer actually copied the original work, either directly or indirectly.

If a court finds that copyright infringement has occurred, the copyright owner may be entitled to monetary damages and injunctive relief to stop the infringing activity. However, there are certain limitations on copyright protection, such as the doctrine of fair use, which allows for limited use of copyrighted works for purposes such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. It's important to consult with an attorney if you have questions about copyright protection or infringement.