Whether you are the copyright owner or someone hoping to draw on a work of art or writing, it's important to understand the laws governing copyright length.
One complicating factor is that the time period of copyright protection has changed over the years. As Congress has enacted, revised, and updated U.S. copyright laws, creative works have had their "protected period" altered.
The following time periods are important to consider when determining whether a particular work is still legally protected:
The initial copyrighted term of the work was 28 years from the date of publication. If the copyright was renewed during the 28th year, the copyright was extended for an additional 28-year period.
The initial copyrighted term of the work was 28 years from the date of publication. If the copyright was renewed during the 28th year, the copyright was extended for an additional 67-year period.
The initial copyrighted term of the work was 28 years from the date of publication, with an automatic renewal of an additional 67 years.
The following rules apply to published and unpublished works:
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