Certified Animation Professional (CAP) Practice Test

What does a copyright allow a creator to do regarding their work?

1. Distribute the work for free

2. Use the work exclusively

3. Sell their work using others’ names

4. Alter the work for public use

The correct answer is: Use the work exclusively

A copyright grants a creator exclusive rights to their original work, allowing them to control how it is used, reproduced, and distributed. This exclusivity means the creator has the sole authority to use their work, preventing others from reproducing or using it without permission. Essentially, the copyright acts as a form of protection that empowers the creator to benefit from their intellectual property, including the right to license or sell it. Distributing the work for free might be an option for the creator, but copyright does not mandate this action; instead, it preserves the creator’s right to choose whether and how to distribute the work. Selling the work using others’ names violates the ethical and legal framework of copyright, as it misattributes the work and undermines the creator's rights. Altering the work for public use typically falls under not just copyright law but also requires permission from the copyright holder unless the work has entered the public domain or falls under specific exceptions.