How long does a copyright last?

In California, the length of time a copyright will last varies depending on a few factors. In general, copyright law gives the author of a work exclusive rights to the work for a certain length of time. This is known as the copyright term. In the United States, the copyright term for works created after January 1, 1978 is the life of the author plus 70 years. This means that the copyright of a work will last the author’s entire lifetime plus 70 years after their death. For works created before 1978, the length of the copyright term depends on when the work was first published. For instance, works published before 1964 had their copyright term last for 28 years from the date of publication. If the copyright was renewed during that period, the term was extended to 95 years after the date of publication. Keep in mind, these copyright terms only apply to works that were first published within the United States. Works first published in another country could have different terms depending on the country’s copyright laws. If you want to make sure that you are abiding by all copyright law, it’s best to consult an entertainment lawyer. A lawyer can answer your questions and help you understand how the copyright laws apply to your specific situation.

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