U.S. Copyright Timeline
On May 31, 1790, the first copyright law is enacted under the new United States Constitution. The new law is relatively limited in scope, protecting books, maps, and charts for only 14 years. These works were registered in the United States District Courts.
When was copyright First introduced as a legal concept?
In response, on 5 April 1710 the Parliament of Great Britain passed the Statute of Anne, also known as the Copyright Act 1710. It was the first legislative instrument to grant a monopoly right over content – only over books at that time.
Why did the copyright law start?
1790: Copyright Act of 1790
The law was meant to provide an incentive to authors, artists, and scientists to create original works by providing creators with a monopoly.
