Sounds reasonable, but it is my understanding that virtually everything is copyrighted, i.e., I could write a poem, or a short story, or perhaps even a letter and claim copyright on it, but would it matter if I couldn't prove any damages?

And suppose someone creates a derivative work based on the work of other artists. Is that derivative work now protected by copyright law, too? Even if it was done without the consent of the other artists? If so, wouldn't the law then be protecting the copyright of someone who did not respect the copyrights of others and who is guilty of infringement?

And what about this: If a friend of mine drew a picture and it was our verbal understanding that I would turn it into a painting, and before the painting was finished, I and the friend then lose track of one another, and sometime later I complete the painting that is based on the drawing the friend did, and I cannot locate said friend in spite of my best effort, if I then post that, or sell it, or use it or allow anyone else to use it in any other way, would that be copyright infringement?, i.e., it is my painting, but his drawing, but we had a verbal agreement, but ...

(the above situation actually happened to me)