What is the purpose of copyright law?

The purpose of copyright law is fundamentally about protecting the intellectual property rights of individuals and creators. Copyright law grants authors, artists, and other creators exclusive rights to their original works, such as literature, music, and art. This protection allows them to control how their works are used, ensuring they can benefit financially and ethically from their creations. By preventing unauthorized use or reproduction, copyright law encourages creativity and innovation, as individuals know their ideas and expressions are legally safeguarded.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary function of copyright law. Business incorporation refers to the legal process of forming a corporation and does not relate to intellectual property rights. Trademark identification is concerned with distinguishing goods and services, protecting brands rather than the creative works themselves. Regulatory competition generally addresses fair practices within the marketplace, not the protection of individual creative works. Thus, the emphasis on protecting intellectual property in copyright law remains its core purpose.