A work of the mind is an original intellectual creation that is protected by copyright as soon as it is created, without any formal registration being necessary. It must reflect the personality of its author and demonstrate a creative effort of its own, which gives the work its original character.
A wide variety of creations are considered works of the mind: literary, musical, audiovisual, plastic, photographic, software, architectural works, and even databases when they reflect an original choice and organisation.
The author of these works is granted two types of rights:
- economic rights, which allow them to authorise or prohibit the economic exploitation of their work and to receive remuneration for it
- moral rights, which are perpetual and inalienable and guarantee, in particular, the authorship of the work and respect for its integrity.
The concept of intellectual work is the cornerstone of copyright. It ensures the recognition and promotion of intellectual creations in all their forms.