What is a copyright duration?

In Texas, a copyright duration is the length of time that a copyright is recognized by the government. A copyright is a legal right granted to the creator of an original creative work – such as artwork, music, writing, or software. This right grants the creator exclusive rights to their work, meaning that they are the only person who can reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from the copyrighted material. A copyright is granted to the creator automatically when the work is created, and generally lasts the lifetime of the creator, plus an additional 70 years after the creator’s death. This duration applies to works created after 1978. Works created in the United States before 1978 might have different copyright durations. In rare circumstances, a copyright can be extended or shortened. For example, a work that has been made available to the public may have its copyright shortened by up to 10 years in certain circumstances, or a work that has been withheld from the public may have its copyright extended beyond the normal duration. In Texas, copyrights are managed by the Texas Department of Information Resources. They can answer any questions related to copyright duration and other intellectual property law topics.

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What is a copyright duration?

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