|
|
 |
| Date
of Work |
Protected
From |
Term |
| Created
1-1-78 or after |
When
work is fixed in tangible medium of expression |
Life
+ 70 years1(or if work of corporate authorship, the shorter
of 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation2 |
| Published
before 1923 |
In
public domain |
None |
| Published
from 1923 - 63 |
When
published with notice3 |
28
years + could be renewed for 47 years, now extended by 20 years
for a total renewal of 67 years. If not so renewed, now in public
domain |
| Published
from 1964 - 77 |
When
published with notice |
28
years for first term; now automatic extension of 67 years for second
term |
| Created
before 1-1-78 but not published |
1-1-78,
the effective date of the 1976 Act which eliminated common law copyright |
Life
+ 70 years or 12-31-2002, whichever is greater |
Created
before
1-1-78 but published between then and 12-31-2002 |
1-1-78,
the effective date of the 1976 Act which eliminated common law copyright |
Life
+ 70 years or 12-31-2047 whichever is greater |
- Term of joint works
is measured by life of the longest-lived author.
- Works for hire,
anonymous and pseudonymous works also have this term. 17 U.S.C. § 302(c).
- Under the 1909
Act, works published without notice went into the public domain upon
publication. Works published without notice between 1-1-78 and 3-1-89,
effective date of the Berne Convention Implementation Act, retained
copyright only if, e.g., registration was made within five years. 17
U.S.C. § 405.
Notes courtesy
of Professor Tom Field, Franklin Pierce Law Center
|
|
