The correct answer is: D. New song recorded by a musician
A copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works. To be eligible for copyright protection, a work must be fixed in a tangible medium of expression. This means that the work must be recorded in some way, such as in writing, on film, or in a computer file.
In the case of a song, the melody and lyrics are both protected by copyright. However, the copyright does not protect the idea of the song, only the expression of that idea. For example, if two people independently write the same song, both songs would be protected by copyright.
The act of recording a song is one way to fix it in a tangible medium of expression and therefore make it eligible for copyright protection. Once a song is recorded, the copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce the song, create derivative works based on the song, distribute copies of the song, perform the song publicly, and display the song publicly.
The other options do not meet the requirements for copyright protection. Option A, a new song tune hummed by a musician, is not fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Option B, new song words told to a musician, is also not fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Option C, a new song tune tweaked by a musician, is not a new work of authorship. It is simply a modification of an existing work.
Therefore, the only option that meets the requirements for copyright protection is D, a new song recorded by a musician.