Copyright is a collection of rights automatically granted to someone who creates an original work. Under Singapore law, a work is considered original if it originated from the author. This criterion is met even if someone else produces a similar work independently. For example, two photographers taking a similar photograph independently can both have their works granted copyright protection.

Copyright protects the expression of an idea, not the idea itself. This includes literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, along with sound recordings, broadcasts, cable programmes, protected performances, and published editions. The copyright owner has exclusive rights to reproduce, publish, perform, communicate, and adapt their work.