According to copyright law, who automatically has rights to copy a work?

The author of a work automatically holds the rights to copy it under copyright law. This principle is rooted in the idea that the creator of original content retains control over how their work is used and distributed. Copyright protection is granted as soon as an original work is created and fixed in a tangible medium of expression, meaning that authors are provided immediate rights without the need for registration or formalities.

This legal framework serves to encourage creativity and protect the interests of creators by ensuring that they can benefit from their original ideas and expressions. The recognition of the author’s rights helps maintain the integrity of the creative work and establishes a foundation for further rights, such as licensing and distribution. The other choices—first publishers, platforms hosting the work, or any user accessing the work—do not automatically enjoy the same rights as the original author unless specific agreements or licenses are in place.