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The law specifying the duration of copyright protection has changed several times over the years. Under the current copyright law, effective January 1, 1978, copyright lasts:
- For a single author — life of
the author plus 70 years
- For multiple authors — life of
longest living author plus 70 years
- For works for hire — 95 years
from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever
is shorter
When a work is no longer protected
by copyright law, it enters the Public
Domain and can be used freely. For more information
on when materials pass into the public domain, see “When
U.S. Works Pass Into the Public Domain” contained
on the University of North Carolina website and authored
by Laura "Lolly" Gasaway. |
