"Now that copyrights can be just about a century long, the inability to know what is protected and what is not protected becomes a huge and obvious burden on the creative process"

This quote by Lawrence Lessig is referring to the truth that copyright laws have actually been reached a century long, which can be seen as a problem on the creative process. This is since it is tough to understand what is safeguarded and what is not protected under copyright law. This implies that creators may be hesitant to develop something brand-new, as they may be uncertain if their work is infringing on someone else's copyright. This can lead to a lack of creativity and development, as creators might be too afraid to take risks. In addition, it can be difficult to know when a copyright has actually expired, which can lead to confusion and possible legal concerns. In general, this quote is highlighting the possible concerns that can develop from having such long copyright terms.