what is copyright?  copyright is when you use something that is made by someone else without premission. like illegaly downloading music or watching a movie without paying for it. basicaly you cannot use anything made by someone else with out premission from the creator. copyright applies to music, films, books or anything written, artistic, and other things created by the mind. in order to copy or display these works you need to credit the author or get premission or you need to buy the rights to it. but there are things that are not protected names, titles, methods and improv speeches  these can be used by people freely and easily. infringement of a copyright can include jail sentences and fines it would make sense not to violate copyright.