American Copyright Law

American copyright law grants creators of original works—like writing, music, art, and movies—the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, display, and perform their work for a limited time. This promotes creativity by allowing creators to benefit financially and morally from their work. After the copyright expires, the work enters the public domain, becoming freely available. Fair use exceptions permit limited use (e.g., commentary, criticism, education) without permission. Copyright is automatic upon creation and can be registered for added legal protection. It balances encouraging innovation while maintaining public access to knowledge and culture.