What is the duration of copyright protection?

Copyright law is a complex area of law that is meant to protect the creative works of authors, composers, and other creative individuals. In North Carolina, as in the rest of the United States, the duration of copyright protection is generally the life of the author, plus an additional 70 years. This means that the author and their heirs can enjoy exclusive rights to their work for up to 70 years after the author’s lifetime. In some cases, the duration of copyright protection may be shorter. For example, when works are created as part of an employer-employee relationship, the copyright is owned by the employer, and the duration of protection may be shorter. The duration of protection for works by two or more authors can be either life of the last surviving author plus 70 years, or 95 years from the date of first publication, whichever is longer. Copyright protection is meant to encourage creativity by protecting the fruits of an author’s labor. By ensuring that the author’s work remains protected for up to 70 years, it gives them incentive to create and share their work. It also ensures that their work remains financially valuable to them, and to their heirs, for generations to come.

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