It depends upon a number of factors, primarily the country in which something is created or published, when it was created or published, and whether the author is a citizen or resident of any country that subscribes to the Bern Convention or any other treaty on copyrights.
In the USA, for example, the rules change for US publications depending upon whether they were created or published before or after 1923, 1963, 1972, 1978, 1989 and 1996, among others. As a general rule, however, things created after 1989 are automatically protected for 95 years from the moment they are "fixed in a tangible form", things published prior to 1923 are not copyrighted and the answer for everything in the middle or for unpublished prior to 1989, is more complicated (copyright notice, renewal, date of author's death, etc).
Yes. Any artistic work of sufficient originality is eligible for copyright protection
In order for a work to be eligible for copyright, it must be available in a tangible format, one that can be observed using the senses. Thus a speech must be written down or recorded in order to be eligible for copyright protection.
Yes; because registration is not required, copyright protection is automatic.
publishers date is when the work was first printed... copyright date is when the work was first copyrigted... i don't believe they are different to often but I could be wrong... copyright dates usually have the the copyright symbol next to them (that little c in the circle) so you can tell them apart
In the US, they receive a certificate of registration.
No. There is no legal provision (nor additional protection) for a "poor man's copyright"
A work of sufficient originality is automatically protected as soon as it is fixed in a tangible medium; no further action is required. If formal registration is available in your country, it may be through the copyright office or a private copyright registry.
It must be an original work, and fixed in a tangible form of expression.
The Malaysian Copyright Act of 1987 considers "fixation" to occur when "the work has been written down, recorded or otherwise reduced to material form."see related link below for full text of section 7 "Works eligible for copyright"
The moment an artist creates a piece of work, be it music, lyrics, painting, sculpture, books, photographs.
The creator of the image, unless other arrangements were made. In UK there is a copyright law called "First players copyright" this essentially says if you created a unique piece of work (Picture, photo, book etc) then you own the copyright and you dont have to apply for that.
You automatically receive copyright protection as soon as a work of sufficient originality is fixed in a tangible medium that it is perceptible either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.In the United States, you can also register your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office which will provide benefits in addition to the automatic copyright. If you successfully sue someone for infringement of a registered work, you may be eligible for statutory damages and your attorney's fees. Also, if your registration is within 5 years of publication of the copyrighted work, the registration is considered prima facie evidence of your copyright in a court of law.