The Copyright Law of the United States tries to encourage the creation of art and culture by rewarding authors and artists with a set of exclusive rights. Copyright law grants authors and artists the exclusive right to make and sell copies of their works, the right to create derivative works, and the right to perform or display their works publicly. These exclusive rights are subject to a time limit, and generally expire 70 years after the author’s death. United States copyright law is governed by the federal Copyright Act of 1976. The United States Constitution explicitly grants Congress the power to create copyright law. Specifically, Congress has the power: The United States Copyright Office handles copyright registration, recording of copyright transfers, and other administrative aspects of copyright law.