Copyright protects someone else's work and ensures they are credited if it is used by others.
The UK Intellectual Property Office's publication 'Copyright essential reading' defines copyright as follows:
"Copyright rewards the making of, and investment in, creative works while also recognising the need for use to be made of those works.”
In the United Kingdom, the main legislation is the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988. This has been amended by subsequent Acts and Statutory Instruments. Updated versions are available in LexisLibrary or Westlaw databases via the library portal.
Further information is available from the government website