In the world of business and law, you may have heard the term “fixed in a tangible medium of expression” and wondered what it really means. You’re not alone. This phrase is drawn from U.S. Copyright law, which states that a creative work must meet certain criteria for it to receive copyright protection. This includes that the work must be “fixed in a tangible medium of expression.”
What Is a Tangible Medium of Expression?
A “tangible medium of expression” is a physical object that conveys some form of information; for example, a book, a painting, a photograph, a recording, a sculpture, a computer program, or a website. It can also include data stored on digital media such as a hard drive or a DVD. The point is that it must be a physical object that conveys some form of information.
What Does ‘Fixed’ Mean?
Under U.S. Copyright law, “fixed” means that the creative work was captured and stored in a tangible medium of expression, which means that the information was saved in such a way that it cannot easily be changed or replaced. For example, if you are writing a book, your work must be stored as a document on a computer, hard drive, or other storage device. If you paint a picture, your work must be stored in a physical object or other material form; it cannot simply exist as an idea in your head.
Conclusion
To be eligible for copyright protection in the United States, a creative work must be “fixed in a tangible medium of expression.” This means that it must be captured and stored in some physical object so that it cannot be easily changed or replaced. By understanding this concept, you are better able to protect your intellectual property.