1870 Protection of paintings is added. The federal copyright law is revised due to developing technology. After 20 years of study, Congress adopts the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. Leaps in technology, including motion picture, phonograph, radio, television and photocopier, had strained previous copyright protections. The 1976 Act goes into effect.
Authors can better control the use of their work.
Federal copyright law preempts state copyright law, making it more uniform. 1989 U.S. becomes a signatory of the Berne Convention, the most extensive international copyright agreement among nations. Congress passes the Visual Artist Rights Act, which protects artists' rights of attribution and integrity. Covers paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and sculpture.