Final answer:
A copyright grants the creator of a published work exclusive rights to reproduce and sell it for the creator's lifetime plus 70 years. It applies to various forms of artistic and literary works. Patents, while also protecting intellectual property, are specifically for inventions and typically last 20 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
A copyright is protected by law and gives the creator of a published work the exclusive rights to reproduce and sell the work for the life of the creator plus 70 years. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, a copyright is a form of protection for 'original works of authorship' including literary, dramatic, musical, architectural, cartographic, choreographic, pantomimic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, and audiovisual creations. No one else can legally reproduce, display, or perform a copyrighted work without the author's permission. This protection is designed to encourage creativity and innovation by ensuring creators can benefit from their work for a significant period.
On the other hand, a patent is another form of intellectual property right that grants an inventor the exclusive legal right to make, use, or sell an invention for a limited time, typically 20 years. However, a patent does not apply to this question since it relates to inventions, not literary or artistic works. Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is a copyright.