This information only applies to United States Copyright Law. If you live in another country, this information may not apply.


Publication Copyright Protection Info as of 1 January 2009

Works currently in the Public Domain:

Anything published prior to 1923.

1923 - 1963 (Published with a copyright notice , but copyright was not renewed).

1923 - 1977 (Published without a copyright notice).

1978 - 1 March 1989 (Published without notice, and without subsequent registration within 5 years).

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Works Currently Protected and Term of Protection:

1923 through 1963 (Published with notice and the copyright was renewed)... 95 years after publication date.

1964 through 1977 (Published with notice)... 95 years after publication date.

1978 to 1 March 1989 (Published without notice, but with subsequent registration within 5 years)... 70 years from death of author.

After 1989: Generally, 70 years after the death of the author, but there are specifics which may increase that term (see chart at cornell web site).

For full info, go to:

http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/

This site (from Cornell University) provides an easy to read chart.

Official disclaimer: The information in this post is for informational purposes only and does not take the place of legal representation.

Dave