Who is considered the 'first owner' of copyright for a literary work?

The 'first owner' of copyright in a literary work is the author as creator. According to copyright law, the individual who creates an original piece of work typically holds the copyright for that work from the moment it is created. This ownership grants the author exclusive rights to use, distribute, and license their work, which includes the ability to control how it is reproduced and sold.

The rights of copyright ownership are fundamental to protecting the interests of authors, ensuring they receive recognition and financial benefit from their creativity. While other parties, such as publishers or organizations that fund the work, may influence how the work is disseminated or modify it, these roles do not automatically confer ownership of the copyright. The authorship principle remains the cornerstone of copyright law, highlighting the importance of the original creator in the copyright framework.