Which act established conditions under which authors could secure exclusive rights to their works?

The Copyright Act of 1790 established the framework for authors to secure exclusive rights to their original works. This act was pivotal in shaping intellectual property law in the United States, as it granted authors the exclusive right to reproduce their works for a specific period of time, thus providing legal protection against unauthorized use or distribution.

The act not only aimed to incentivize creativity and innovation by ensuring that authors could benefit from their endeavors but also sought to balance the interests of the public in accessing creative works with the rights of creators to control their usage. By securing these exclusive rights, the act promoted the creation of literature and the arts, which was a key goal of its proponents.

Other options do not pertain to the specific issue of securing exclusive rights for authors. The Patent Act of 1790 deals with inventions rather than literary and artistic works. The Fair Use Act of 1976 outlines the conditions under which copyrighted material may be used without permission from the copyright owner but does not itself establish rights for authors. The Communication Act of 1934 primarily addresses the regulation of communication services and does not directly relate to copyright matters.