Final answer:
In 1989, the US signed on to the Berne Convention as Option 1, which Strengthened international copyright protection. This agreement standardized protections for creators and their works in all member countries. Copyrights typically last for the life of the author plus 70 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1989, the United States signed on to the Berne Convention, which represents a significant international agreement on copyright protection. The correct answer to the student's question is Option 1: Strengthened international copyright protection. The Berne Convention aims to protect the rights of creators by ensuring that their works are protected in all signatory countries, providing a standardized set of protections that includes preventing reproduction, display, or performance without the permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright law, as defined by the U.S. Copyright Office, ensures that original works including literary, dramatic, musical, and other forms of creations are protected. Such copyright protection typically extends for the lifetime of the author plus 70 years. Intellectual property laws, which also encompass patents, trademarks, and trade secret law, vary by country but aim for harmonization through international agreements like the Berne Convention.