This is a copyright term referring to a unique, new creative work that is expressed in a tangible expression (such as writing or on a canvas or stored on compact disc.) As long as the person creating the work had no other significant influence and created the work by way of his or her own independent expression, it would be considered original and able to be registered for copyright protection. By way of example, a person writes a book describing his feelings on war, the book itself is a unique expression of the author and is an original work of authorship. In the rare instance that two people create the same book, word for word, without any influence, however unlikely the odds are, both books are able to be registered as original works of authorship. The chances that the second comer created the work independently of the first author could be questioned by the original author to deny copyright protection and sue for infringement.