How long does copyright last?
The short answer: the author's life plus 70 years.
From copyright.gov -
As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term will vary depending on several factors.
![Copyright: A brief overview. From the constitution: [Congress shall have power] “to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.” Rationales for copyright: utilitarian – the purpose is to encourage the creation of new works by providing incentive to creators; author’s rights – the purpose is to preserve the integrity of the works by ensuring attribution for authors. What is copyrightable? Literary works, musical works, dramatic works, audiovisual works, sound recordings, architectural works. From copyright.gov: these categories should be viewed broadly for the purpose of registering your work. For example, computer programs and certain “compilations” can be registered as “literary works”; maps and technical drawings can be registered as “pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works.”](http://libapps.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/206522/images/Copyright.png)
