When Works Pass Into The Public Domain
Definition: A public domain work is a creative work that is not protected by copyright and which may be freely used by everyone. The reasons that the work is not protected include:
(1) the term of copyright for the work has expired; (2) the author failed to satisfy statutory formalities to perfect the copyright or (3) the work is a work of the U.S. Government.
Works Published Inside The United States
| Date |
Protected From |
Work |
| Created 1-1-78 or after |
When work is fixed in tangible medium of expression |
Life + 70 years (or if work of corporate authorship, the shorter of 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation |
| Published before 1923 |
In public domain |
none |
| Published from 1923 - 63 |
When published with notice |
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 |
Works Published Outside The United States
| Date |
Protected From |
Work |
| Created before July 1, 1909 |
In public domain |
None |
Reproduced with permission from http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm
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