Final answer:
Copyright law protects original works of authorship, granting exclusive rights to creators and ensuring their moral and economic interests are secured for their lifetime plus 70 years after.
Step-by-step explanation:
Essence of Copyright Law
The copyright law is essential as it grants copyright owners the exclusive rights to their original works. This implies that no one can reproduce, display, or perform these works without the owner's explicit permission. The U.S. Copyright Office defines a copyright as a form of protection for original works of authorship, which includes a wide range of expressive mediums. Infringement of copyright protection, which lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years, can lead to legal repercussions, as seen in the case of MGM Studios v. Grokster.
These laws help ensure creators can benefit economically from their work and exercise control over its use. From literature to dramatic compositions, copyrights secure the moral and economic rights of authors and creators.