How long does a copyright protection last?

The length of protection that a copyright offers in the state of Florida is determined by the year in which the work was created or published. For copyright works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection will last for the creator’s entire lifetime plus an additional 70 years. If the work was created by more than one person, the copyright protection lasts for 70 years after the death of the last surviving creator. For copyright works created before January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts either 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever is shorter. If the work was published before 1923, copyright protection has expired and the work is now in the public domain, meaning anyone can use it without needing permission from the author. Works that are not copyrightable include works that are not considered original or creative and works created before 1978 that have not been officially published. Unpublished works created before 1978 can still receive copyright protection lasting life of the creator plus 70 years. In Florida, copyright owners have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, display, and perform the work, as well as make derivative works. If someone infringes upon a copyright owner’s rights, the copyright owner has the right to sue for damages in civil court.

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