Why did the founders of the united states put protections for inventors and writers in article i of the u. s. constitution? have these protections become even more important in the current digital age?

Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution, known as the Copyright Clause, empowers the United States Congress:

To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.

And yes it has become more important