How long is a work protected by copyright?

Answer 1

Unless existing legislation is changed Copyright cannot be extended past it's original term (70 years past the death of the original author/artist)

For music related art, it is (in the US) death plus 70 years. However, copyrights can and have been extended in perpetuity by heirs of the deceased.

Answer 2

In the US generally 70 years past the death of the creator, or 95 years after publication for corporate works.

As is often the case, however, the US has longer protection than much of the rest of the world. The minimum protection required for film by the Berne Convention is...

"...fifty years after the work has been made available to the public with the consent of the author, or, failing such an event within fifty years from the making of such a work, fifty years after the making."

Answer 3

Under current US Copyright law, the copyright would expire 70 years after the death of the rights holder. This assumes it was published after 1977 and was authored by an individual.

If it was a work for hire, or published (with copyright notice) prior to 1978 but not prior to 1923, it would have a copyright duration of 95years. Works published prior to 1923 have no copyright.

Unpublished photographs were given retroactive copyright as of 1978: 70 years after death of a known author, 120 years after anonymous creation or works for hire.

Answer 4

It varies from country to country. Members of the World Trade Organization have a minimum term of protection of the life of the creator plus 50 years; the US and several other countries have extended this to life plus 70.

Answer 5

Photographs are protected for the life of the photographer plus 50 years (the US and some other countries have extended this to life plus 70 years); in the case of a work-made-for-hire, for example an image created while under contract to a magazine, the photograph would be protected for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.

Answer 6

In the US copyright protection extends through the lifetime of the author or creator and to the end of the calendar year 70 years past his/her death

Answer 7

In the US, works are protected for the life of the author plus 70 years. Works of corporate authorship are protected for 95 years from publication.