#3: Sonny Bono and the Expansion of Copyright Duration (Copyright Term Extension Act: 1998)
After transitioning from music to politics, Sonny Bono became one of the strongest advocates for extending copyright protection in the United States. His efforts ultimately contributed to the passage of the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, which lengthened the duration of copyright protection for countless creative works. Supporters argued that artists and their families deserved longer financial security, while critics believed the law delayed works from entering the public domain. Regardless of perspective, the legislation significantly altered how intellectual property is managed across publishing, film, and music.
