It was the first time that rights were given to authors and to the universities. In fact, it didn't give rights; it limited rights. It was for the owners. The printers owned it. As it is today, generally, the authors and the creators, which I think is a misuse of the concept, don't get much of the money. Right now the money goes to publishers, not to the creators. A small percentage goes to the creators. In those days, it was the printers and it limited their rights. It wasn't brought in to give them rights; it was brought in to limit them to 27 years and to make sure that it expanded knowledge.
On March 24th, 2011. See this statement in context.