The exclusive right given to authors to protect their works from unlawful production is

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks for the term describing the exclusive legal right given to authors (and other creators) to protect their works from being copied, reproduced, or used without permission. The key words are "exclusive right," "protect their works," and "unlawful production" (meaning unauthorized reproduction).

Step 2: Explain the concept A copyright is a legal right granted to the creator of an original work (books, plays, poems, music, films, etc.). It gives the creator the sole right to reproduce, publish, distribute, and adapt the work. Anyone who wants to use the work must get the author's permission, usually by paying royalties. In Nigeria, copyright is protected by the Copyright Act, and enforced by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. An authority to write: Wrong. This would mean permission to write, not protection after writing.
• B. A copyright: Correct. This is the formal legal term for the exclusive right protecting an author's work from unauthorized reproduction.
• C. An author's right: Close in meaning, but it is not the standard technical term. The recognized legal term is "copyright."
• D. A constitutional provision: Wrong. This refers to a rule in a country's constitution, which is much broader than the specific protection of literary works.

Step 4: Answer The correct answer is B. a copyright.

Exam tip: Remember "COPY-right" is the right to control who can COPY your work. If a question mentions protection from unauthorized copying or reproduction, think copyright. Related terms to know for Literature: plagiarism (passing off someone's work as your own), royalty (payment to the author for use of the work), and piracy (illegal reproduction and sale).