Final answer:
It is true that software, video games, multimedia works, and Web pages can all be copyrighted. Copyright provides legal protection and exclusive rights to creators of original works, lasting for the author's lifetime plus 70 years. Illegally downloading such material infringes on these rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is true; software, video games, multimedia works, and Web pages can all be copyrighted. Copyright is a legal protection afforded by the United States to the creators of original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible form of expression. This means the author has exclusive rights to their work, and others cannot reproduce, distribute, or perform the work without permission. It is essential to understand that when people illegally download such copyrighted materials, they infringe upon the economic rights of the creators. The lifespan of copyright protection typically extends for the life of the author plus 70 years.
State and federal governments have enacted laws to safeguard intellectual property, which includes copyrights and patents. Copyright safeguards a variety of works, and any unauthorized use can result in legal action against the infringer. The case of MGM Studios v. Grokster highlighted the liability of companies facilitating copyright infringement through file-sharing software.