How long does copyright protection for a work last?
The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 lengthened the duration of copyright protection for most works by 20 years. The duration of copyright protection depends on when the work was created (and, in some cases, when it was published). For works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection will last for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. In the case of a joint work, the term lasts for 70 years after the last surviving author’s death. For anonymous and pseudonymous works and works made for hire, the term will be 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever expires first; For works created but not published or registered before January 1, 1978, the term endures for life of the author plus 70 years, but in no case will copyright expire earlier than December 31, 2002. If the work is published before December 31, 2002, the term will not expire before December 31, 2047; For pre-1978 works still in their origi
