Final answer:
Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States for original works of authorship. It lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
A copyright, according to the U.S. Copyright Office, is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States for 'original works of authorship' including literary, dramatic, musical, architectural, cartographic, choreographic, pantomimic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, and audiovisual creations. No one can reproduce, display, or perform a copyrighted work without the author's permission. Copyright protection ordinarily lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.