Copyright is a form of protection provided by law to authors of “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a “tangible medium of expression.” The primary purpose of copyright law is to afford authors protection for the creation of original works, that is, works where the author has expended independent effort to create the work.

Below is a copyright memo created by Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP outlining how copyright relates to music and performance sports such as cheerleading, dancesport, gymnastics, figure skating, jump rope and more in the US. Copyright exists around the world and so many of these laws apply to multiple countries. Additional information about International Copyright Law can be found in the below section.