Final answer:
The first major revision of the copyright act occurred in 1831, extending copyright protection from 14 to 28 years, with an option to renew for an additional 14 years, resulting in potential total protection for 42 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first major revision of the copyright act took place in 1831. This revision extended the initial term of copyright protection from 14 years to 28 years, and also allowed for a 14-year renewal term, giving a potential total of 42 years of copyright protection. This change aimed to better serve the interests of authors and creators by extending the period during which they could exclusively capitalize on their works. Furthermore, copyright protection helped ensure that authors could reap financial rewards for their creative efforts, which, in turn, encouraged more innovation and the production of new works.