An author is the writer of a book, article, play, or other written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states:

"An author is 'the person who originated or gave existence to anything' and whose authorship determines responsibility for what was created.'"

Typically, the first owner of a copyright is the person who created the work, i.e. the author. If more than one person created the work, then a case of joint authorship takes place. Copyright laws differ around the world. The United States Copyright Office, for example, defines copyright as "a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to authors of 'original works of authorship.'"