Final answer:
The 1976 Copyright Act primarily facilitated stronger copyright protection, extending the exclusive legal rights of authors over their creative works for the life of the author plus 70 years.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1976 Current Copyright Act predominantly enabled Option 1: Stronger copyright protection. This legislation provides a vital form of protection under United States law for original works of authorship, which includes a variety of works ranging from literary to audiovisual creations.
Copyrighted works are protected in such a way that they cannot be reproduced, displayed, or performed without the express permission of the author. The protection normally extends for the life of the author plus 70 years, ensuring that copyright holders have exclusive rights over their works for a significant period.
Contrary to patents, which cover inventions and are typically valid for up to 20 years, copyright law does not cover inventions but rather creative works like books, music, and art. The 1976 act did not affect patent durations but ensured that copyright owners retained their exclusive rights for a longer term, which incentivizes authors to create by offering a legally recognized incentive for their intellectual labor.