Copyright Time Duration Calculator
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Copyright Duration Calculator
Copyright law grants creators exclusive rights to their work for a limited time. After this period, the work enters the "public domain," meaning anyone can use it freely. This calculator helps you estimate when a work might enter the public domain in the United States, based on key publication and creation dates. U.S. copyright law is complex, and this tool covers the most common scenarios for written works, music, and art.
Understanding U.S. Copyright Timelines
The duration of copyright protection in the U.S. has changed several times. The rules primarily depend on when a work was created or published. Here is a simplified overview:
- Works Published Before 1929: All works published in the United States before January 1, 1929, are in the public domain.
- Works Published Between 1929 and 1977: These works were initially granted a 28-year term, which could be renewed for an additional period. Due to legislative changes, if the copyright was properly secured and renewed, these works are now protected for a total of 95 years from their publication date.
- Works Created On or After January 1, 1978: For works created from this date forward, the copyright term is the life of the author plus 70 years. This rule harmonized U.S. law with that of many other countries.
Note: This calculator does not cover more complex cases like works for hire, anonymous/pseudonymous works, or sound recordings created before 1972, which have their own specific rules.
Copyright Calculation Examples
Example 1: A Book Published in 1930
A novel was first published in the United States in 1930 with a proper copyright notice.
Rule Applied: 95 years from the publication date.
Calculation: 1930 + 95 years = Copyright term ends on December 31, 2025.
Result: The work enters the public domain on January 1, 2026.
Example 2: A Song by a Modern Artist
A songwriter created a song in 1985 and passed away in the year 2000.
Rule Applied: Life of the author + 70 years.
Calculation: 2000 + 70 years = Copyright term ends on December 31, 2070.
Result: The work enters the public domain on January 1, 2071.
Important Disclaimer
This calculator provides an estimate for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Copyright law is highly complex and subject to interpretation. Many factors, such as the type of work, country of origin, and specific publication details, can affect a work's copyright status. For definitive legal guidance, please consult with a qualified intellectual property attorney.
function toggleInputs() {
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var pre1978Div = document.getElementById("pre1978Inputs");
var post1978Div = document.getElementById("post1978Inputs");
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
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post1978Div.style.display = "none";
} else {
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post1978Div.style.display = "block";
}
// Clear previous results on toggle
resultDiv.innerHTML = "";
}
function calculateCopyright() {
var status = document.getElementById("workStatus").value;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
var currentYear = new Date().getFullYear();
var message = "";
if (status === "pre1978") {
var publicationYearStr = document.getElementById("publicationYear").value;
if (publicationYearStr === "") {
message = "Please enter the year of publication.";
} else {
var publicationYear = parseInt(publicationYearStr, 10);
if (isNaN(publicationYear) || publicationYear 1977) {
message = "Please enter a valid publication year between 1929 and 1977.";
} else {
var expirationYear = publicationYear + 95;
var publicDomainEntryYear = expirationYear + 1;
if (publicDomainEntryYear <= currentYear) {
message = "Based on the 95-year rule, this work entered the public domain on
January 1, " + publicDomainEntryYear + ".";
} else {
message = "This work is estimated to enter the public domain on
January 1, " + publicDomainEntryYear + ".";
}
}
}
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message = "Please enter the author's year of death.";
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message = "Please enter a valid year for the author's death.";
} else {
var expirationYear = authorDeathYear + 70;
var publicDomainEntryYear = expirationYear + 1;
if (publicDomainEntryYear <= currentYear) {
message = "Based on the 'life + 70' rule, this work entered the public domain on
January 1, " + publicDomainEntryYear + ".";
} else {
message = "This work is estimated to enter the public domain on
January 1, " + publicDomainEntryYear + ".";
}
}
}
}
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}
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