| DATE OF WORK | PROTECTED FROM | TERM |
| Created 1-1-78 or after | When work is fixed in tangible medium of expression | Life + 70 years 1 (or if work of corporate authorship, the shorter of 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation 2 |
| Published before 1923 | In public domain | None |
| Published from 1923 - 63 | When published with notice 3 | 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 |
1 Term of joint works is measured by life of the longest-lived author.
2 Works for hire, anonymous and pseudonymous works also have this term. 17 U.S.C. § 302(c).
3 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
LOLLY GASAWAY Last updated 11-04-03
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http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm
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