What legislation allows citizens to patent books, charts, or maps for a specific duration?

The legislation that allows citizens to patent books, charts, or maps for a specific duration is indeed rooted in the Copyright Act of 1790. This act was significant in establishing the foundation for copyright law in the United States. The purpose of copyright is to provide authors and creators with exclusive rights to their original works, which includes literature, music, and visual art, thereby incentivizing creativity and protecting intellectual property.

The Copyright Act of 1790 laid down the principles that an author or creator could claim rights over their work, preventing others from reproducing or distributing it without permission for a certain number of years. This not only applies to traditional literary works but also extends to charts and maps, recognizing their value as creative and original works that deserve legal protection.

In comparison, the other options pertain to different areas of law. The Patent Act of 1776 relates to inventions and technological advancements rather than creative works like books and maps. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 addresses issues of discrimination and civil rights, which is unrelated to intellectual property laws. Lastly, the Fair Use Act of 1992 discusses certain exceptions to copyright, allowing limited use of copyrighted material without permission, but it does not grant the same rights as voting under the Copyright Act