Date Of First Publication:

How Long Copyright Protection Lasts:

Was the work first published before 1923?

No copyright protection – all works published before 1923 are in the Public Domain and no further research is required. You may begin using immediately.

Was the work first published 1923 - 1963?

Work originally copyright protected for 28 years from publication date. If the copyright was renewed then work is protected for another 47 years, now extended by 20 years for a total renewal of 67 years. If the work was not renewed, it is now in public domain.

Research will be required to verify copyright status. Must have been published with a valid copyright notice to qualify for protection.

Was the work first published 1964 - 1977?

 
Work originally copyright protected for 28 years from publication date. Copyright renewal is not required so work is automatically renewed and protected for another 67 years. Must have been published with a valid copyright notice to qualify for protection.

Was the work first created before 1-1-78 but not published?

Life of author + 70 years or 12-31-2002, whichever is greater.

Was the work first created before 1-1-78 but published between then and 12-31-2002?

Life of author + 70 years or 12-31-2047 whichever is greater.

Was the work first created 1-1-78 or after?

Life of author + 70 years. If the work is of corporate authorship, the shorter of 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation. Only real requirement is that work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression.
 

Date Of First Publication:

How Long Copyright Protection Lasts:

Was the work first published outside of the U.S. before July 1^st, 1909?

No copyright protection – all works published outside of the U.S. before 1909 are in the Public Domain in the U.S. and no further research is required. You may begin using immediately.

Was the work first published outside of the U.S. between July 1^st, 1909 – 1922 with a copyright notice?

As long as the work shows a copyright notice and was published outside the U.S. within the dates shown it is now in the Public Domain in the U.S. and no further research is required. You may begin using immediately.

Was the work first published outside of the U.S. between 1923 – 1977 with a copyright notice?

Protected for 95 years from date of publication. Earliest a work from this time could enter the public domain in the U.S. is 2018 if published in 1923.

Was the work first published outside of the U.S. between July 1^st, 1909 – 1977 without a copyright notice?

Protected for life of author plus 70 years. If work was republished between 1978 – 2003, copyright cannot expire before December 31^st, 2047. If not republished between 78-03, could be in the public domain. Check with copyright attorney before attempting use.
 

Was the work first published outside of the U.S. in 1978 or later with or without a copyright notice?

Protected for life of author plus 70 years, unless the author is anonymous then the work is protected for 95 years from publication date or 120 years from creation date, whichever period ends first.