Federal Copyright Law

Federal Copyright Law protects original works of authorship, such as music, literature, and art, giving creators exclusive rights to use and distribute their work. This means they can control how their work is copied, performed, or displayed and can benefit financially from it. Copyright protection is automatic upon creation and lasts for the creator's lifetime plus 70 years. However, certain uses, like criticism or education, may qualify as "fair use" and don’t require permission. The law aims to balance the interests of creators with public access to knowledge and culture.