* Original Expression: A poem is considered an original work of authorship. Its unique arrangement of words, rhythm, and rhyme scheme constitute an expression of the author's creativity.
* Tangible Form: Poems are usually written down, making them tangible and eligible for copyright protection.
* Automatic Protection: In most countries, copyright protection is automatic upon creation of the poem. Registration isn't usually required for basic protection.
However, it's important to note:
* Ideas vs. Expression: Copyright protects the specific expression of an idea, not the idea itself. This means someone could write a poem about the same topic as yours but with different wording and structure, and that would be considered a separate work.
* Short Phrases & Titles: Copyright generally doesn't protect short phrases or titles, which are often considered too commonplace to merit protection.
* Fair Use: There are exceptions to copyright, such as fair use. This allows for limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like criticism, teaching, scholarship, and news reporting.
Additional Points:
* While copyright is the primary form of intellectual property protection for poems, some aspects might be protected by other laws, such as trademark if a particular title or phrase becomes associated with a brand.
* If a poem is part of a larger work (like a book or play), it's generally considered protected along with the larger work.
In short, a poem is primarily protected by copyright, safeguarding the author's right to control the copying, distribution, and public performance of their work.