Final answer:
The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 was controversial for significantly increasing the copyright duration for both corporate and individual copyrights, impacting around 400,000 works and extending protection for properties such as Mickey Mouse well beyond the previous terms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 was controversial largely because it increased copyright duration significantly. Specifically, for corporate-owned copyrights, it extended protection from 75 to 95 years after publication. For copyrights owned by individuals, the duration was increased from 50 years to 70 years after the author's death. This act effectively impacted approximately 400,000 works including books, movies, and songs, and notably extended Mickey Mouse's copyright, preventing his entry into the public domain.
Critics argued that such an extension hindered the entry of works into the public domain where they could be freely accessed and used, thereby potentially stifling creativity, innovation, and the free exchange of knowledge and culture. Furthermore, the act was seen as benefiting large corporations and certain estates more than the general public or individual artists.