Copyright Act of 1976

The Copyright Act of 1976 is a U.S. law that protects original works of authorship, such as books, music, films, and art, giving creators exclusive rights to use and distribute their work. It allows authors to control how their work is used, including the right to reproduce, perform, and create derivative works. The act emphasizes the idea that creators should benefit from their creations while also balancing public access to knowledge and culture. Copyright lasts for the creator’s lifetime plus 70 years, after which the work enters the public domain.