Question

1. what was the earliest copyrighted film in the united states and what date was it copyrighted?
2. what act was signed in january of 1895? this act prohibited what?
3. the act of january 6, 1897 protected music against what?
4. when was the copyright office established?
5. sound recordings were extended limited copyright protection on what date?
6. the december 12, 1980 copyright law amendment clarified the protection of what?

Explanation:

1. Newark Athlete (a short film) was the first U.S. copyrighted film, registered in 1894.
2. The 1895 Chase Act expanded copyright to cover public performances of plays.
3. The 1897 Act addressed mechanical copying of music, a new technology then.
4. The Copyright Office was formalized as a separate entity within the Library of Congress in 1897.
5. The 1972 amendment extended limited protection to sound recordings made before 1972.
6. The 1980 amendment explicitly included computer software under copyright law.

Answer:

1. The earliest copyrighted film in the U.S. is Newark Athlete, copyrighted on January 15, 1894.
2. The Act signed in January 1895 is the Chase Act, which prohibited unauthorized public performances of copyrighted dramatic works.
3. The Act of January 6, 1897 protected music against unauthorized mechanical reproductions (e.g., piano rolls).
4. The Copyright Office was established in 1897.
5. Sound recordings received limited copyright protection on February 15, 1972.
6. The December 12, 1980 amendment clarified protection for computer software.