What is the copyright status of works published in 1927 or earlier?

Works published in the US before 1 January 1928 are in the US public domain. Works published in 1927 entered the public domain on 1 January 2023. The 95-year rule means pre-1928 works are freely usable in the US.

How does the Sonny Bono Act affect copyright duration?

The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act (1998) added 20 years to all existing copyrights, extending the prior 75-year term to 95 years for corporate works and from life+50 to life+70 for individual authors.

US Copyright Duration: 95 Years from Publication Calculator

Calculate US copyright expiry for works published before 1978 (95 years from publication) and after 1978 (life + 70). Covers works for hire (95 years from publication or 120 from creation, whichever is shorter).

Copyright Duration (US)

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Enter values above and press Calculate to see the result.

How It Works

Each component has a specific meaning:

Publication) — The publication) recorded for the scenario being assessed.
After 1978 — The after 1978 recorded for the scenario being assessed.

Note: Interpret the copyright duration (us) result against the thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the publication), after 1978 for the scenario you are assessing. Calculate US copyright expiry for works published before 1978 (95 years from publication) and after 1978 (life + 70). Covers works for hire (95 years from publication or 120 from creation, whichever is shorter). Use the copyright duration (us) result to inform your calculation.