How long does copyright protection last?

As a result of the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, most copyrights for works
published after January 1, 1978 last for the life of the author plus 70 years. However,
in the following circumstances, the copyright lasts between 95 and 120
years, depending on the date the work is published:

• the work belongs to the author’s employer under the work made for hire
law
• the work was commissioned under a work made for hire agreement (and
fits within one of the categories of works that qualify for work made for hire
treatment), or
• the author publishes and registers the work anonymously or under a pseudonym.
After a copyright expires, the work goes into the public domain, meaning it
becomes available for anyone’s use.
For works created before 1978, the duration times are different:
• If the work was published before 1923, it is in the public domain (available
for use without permission).
• If the work was published between 1923 and 1963 and not renewed (see
duration of copyright), it is in the public domain.
• If the work was published between 1923 and 1963 and it was renewed, the
copyright lasts 95 years from the date of first publication.
• If the work was published between 1964 and 1977, the copyright lasts for
95 years from the date of publication.
• if the work was created before 1978 and published before December 31,
2002, the copyright lasts at least until December 31, 2047; if created before
1978 and not published before December 31, 2002, the copyright has
expired and the work is in the public domain in the United States.