Final answer:
Option (d), Copyrights protect original works of authorship for the life of the author plus 70 years. This extends to joint works, works made for hire, and anonymous or pseudonymous works with varied durations based on publication and creation dates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Copyrights are a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States for original works of authorship, including various types of artistic and intellectual creations. When addressing the question of how long copyright protection lasts, it is the life of the author plus 70 years after the author's death for works created on or after January 1, 1978. This duration ensures that the copyrighted work cannot be reproduced, displayed, or performed without the author's permission for a substantial period of time, safeguarding the rights of authors and their heirs.
For joint works, copyrights last for 70 years after the death of the last surviving author. For works made for hire, as well as anonymous or pseudonymous works, copyright lasts for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter. It's important to note that this extension of protection from the previous 50 years to 70 years has significant impacts on a wide array of media, including books, movies, and songs.