On the Bookshelf - Does Copyright Have A Timeframe?

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It is the granting and or claiming of an exclusive right to give creative artists (called Authors) the right to use and or display their own artistic work for a limited period of time.

For works published after 1977 the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. However, if the work is a work for hire (that is, the work is done in the course of employment or has been specifically commissioned or is published anonymously or under a pseudonym) the copyright lasts between 95 and 120 years depending on the date the work is published.

All works published in the United States before 1923 are in the public domain. Works published after 1922 but before 1978 are protected for 95 years from the date of publication. If the work was created but not published before 1978, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. However even if the author died over 70 years ago the copyright in an unpublished work lasts until December 31, 2002 and if such a work is published before December 31, 2002 the copyright will last until December 31, 2047.

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