Copyright law, like the law of contracts, is deceptively complex. What appear on the surface as straightforward propositions often prove, in practice, full of subtle nuance and deeper meaning, often difficult to discern. Just as the familiar contract formation principles of offer, acceptance, consideration, and a legal object can lead to months, if not years, of frustrating litigation to determine if a valid contract even exists, so too can even the most seemingly basic precepts of copyright law befuddle the inexperienced practitioner or confuse the court.