The 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. It gives creators exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their works, allowing them to control how their creations are used. The law aims to encourage creativity while balancing the public's access to information. It also outlines terms for copyright duration, which generally lasts the creator's lifetime plus 70 years. This act also provides the framework for fair use, which permits limited use of copyrighted material under certain conditions without permission.