[piaste]

So, if I create art and sell it online directly to customer, I get the longer protection, but once I register as a one-person LLC, my copyright becomes shorter? Or am I still the originator, and it only shortens once I hire another person? Or do I keep the longer protection as long as the company is 100% originator-owned, and only lose it after someone else buys a share?

[growingkittens]

Originator sells online to customer without transferring copyright: originator gets the longest protection.

Originator sells online to customer and transfers copyright: shorter protection applies, since the originator no longer owns it.

Originator transfers work to LLC: shorter protection applies. You gain LLC benefits for a shorter copyright term.