Final answer:
Copyright law provides exclusive rights to authors of original works to control reproduction, distribution, performance, display, and creation of derivative works. These rights are protected for the life of the author plus 70 years. Joint authors share copyright when they create a work together with the intent to merge their contributions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rights of a copyright owner are foundational to protecting intellectual property. Copyright law grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights, including the rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and prepare derivative works based on the creation.
These rights ensure that creators can control how their work is used and can secure financial benefits from their intellectual contributions. Moreover, these rights typically extend for the lifetime of the author plus seventy years, providing enduring protection.
For further illustration, consider that under copyright law, only the copyright holder of the hit song "All of Me" may legally produce, sell, or perform the song.
Similarly, authors, artists, and other creators have control over the dissemination and adaptation of their works, such as books, paintings, and photographs. This legal framework ensures that creative expressions are safeguarded, incentivizing innovation and the production of new works.
Generally, the copyright is initally held by the individual or individuals who have created the work. In cases where a single work is created by joint authors with the intention to combine their contributions, they are considered joint authors with shared, indivisible interest in the work.