{{Short description|Term for the output of creative effort}}

A '''creative work''' is a manifestation of creative effort in the world through a ''creative process'' involving one or more individuals. The term includes fine artwork (sculpture, paintings, drawing, sketching, performance art), dance, writing (literature), filmmaking, and musical composition. The term is frequently used in the context of copyright.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Stim|first1=Rich|title=Copyright Basics FAQ {{!}} Stanford Copyright and Fair Use Center|url=http://fairuse.stanford.edu/overview/faqs/copyright-basics/|website=Fair Use|date=27 March 2013 |via=Robert Crown Law Library|publisher=Stanford Libraries|access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref> It is an important concept in both philosophy and law.

Creative works require a creative mindset and are not typically rendered in an arbitrary fashion, although works may demonstrate (i.e., have in common) a degree of arbitrariness, such that it is improbable that two people would independently create the same work. At its base, creative work involves two main steps – having an idea, and then turning that idea into a substantive form or process. Typically, the creative process results in work that has some aesthetic value, identified as a ''creative expression''. Naturally, this expression generally invokes external stimuli (e.g., influences and experiences) which a person draws on because they view the source as creative or inspirational; the degree to which this is reflected may be used in determinations of the derivativeness of the created work. Alternatively, the creator may draw on imagination, and their references may be clouded even to them, for the nature of imagination is as yet not fully understood philosophically, and the level of necessary self-examination of an artist's internal processing is a challenge for even those most self-aware of their minds and mental processes.

== Legal definition ==

=== United Kingdom === For the purpose of section 221(2)(c) of the Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005, the expression "creative works" means:

{{blockquote|(a) literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works, or <br/>(b) designs,<br/>created by the taxpayer personally or, if the qualifying trade, profession or vocation is carried on in partnership, by one or more of the partners personally.<ref>The Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005, [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/5/section/221 section 221(3)]</ref>}}

== See also == *Art *Creative industries

== References and notes == {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Creative Work}} Category:Copyright law Creative works Category:Creativity

{{Law-stub}} Category:Digital media Category:Intellectual property law