What is the "Sonny Bono Act" known for regarding copyright?

The Sonny Bono Act, officially known as the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, is recognized for extending the length of copyright protection. Specifically, it grants copyright protection for the life of the author plus seventy years. This extension applies not only to works created after the act was passed but also to those published before that had not yet entered the public domain, effectively prolonging the period during which authors and their heirs can control the use of these works.

The act was significant because it expanded copyright terms that had previously been set to a shorter duration, leading to more extensive protection for creators and their families. By increasing the duration of copyright, it aimed to align the U.S. copyright laws more closely with those of other countries, enhancing the protection of intellectual property on a global scale, and addressing concerns from copyright holders about the limitations of previous laws.

Understanding this legislation is critical for anyone involved in managing digital archives, as it impacts how long works can be preserved under copyright before they can be freely accessed or used. The other options do not accurately represent the primary impact of the Sonny Bono Act and instead relate to different aspects of copyright law or entirely different regulations not associated with this act.