What do moral rights in copyright primarily protect?

Moral rights in copyright primarily aim to protect the personal and reputational relationship between the artist and their work. This includes the right of attribution, which allows creators to be recognized as the authors of their works, and the right of integrity, which protects against modifications or derogatory actions that could harm the artist's reputation. By safeguarding these rights, the law acknowledges the intrinsic connection that artists have to their creations, emphasizing the importance of their personal and professional identity in relation to their work.

The other options do not align with the essence of moral rights: financial gains relate to economic rights under copyright, distribution pertains to how works are disseminated, and the creation of new works involves derivative rights, which are separate concerns from the moral considerations of the original creator’s connection to their art.