Copyright Ownership
Copyright vests initially in the author or authors of the work. Copyright also is transferable by agreement or by operation of law (as is the case in bankruptcy or when a copyright owner dies without leaving a will).
Ownership of a physical object does not carry with it ownership of the underlying copyright in the work. When you purchase the latest bestselling novel, you own the book itself. The author retains the rights to reproduce it, adapt it, and so forth. Unless the copyright owner expressly transfers all rights in writing, the exclusive rights given to copyright owners are retained, although a physical object (sheet music, a painting, a manuscript) is transferred.
Works may be jointly owned, as is the case when a work ...
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