How long does a copyright of a signed work created after 1978 last?

Answer 1

It depends on the circumstances. Works published or registered before 1978 currently have a maximum copyright duration of 95 years from the date of publication, if copyright was renewed during the 28th year following publication. If a work was created prior to 1978 but not published until recently copyright protection may extent to 2047.

As a sidenote works published before 1923 are in the public domain as are works created before 1964 & not properly renewed.

Answer 2

Prior to 1978, protection had fixed and renewable terms: a work published in 1960, for example, would be initially protected for 28 years, with a 28-year renewal available.

The Copyright Act 1976, which went into effect in 1978, defines the term of protection as being measured from the death of the author rather than the creation or publication of the work.

Answer 3

In the US, works created since 1978 are protected for the life of the creator plus 70 years (many other countries protect new works for the life of the creator plus 50 years). A corporate work is protected for 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first.

Answer 4

In the US, works published 1923-1977 and renewed are protected for 95 years from publication. Works that were not renewed or were not published with notice would be in the public domain.