Copyright does not last forever, but for anything you create today it lasts a very long time. The exact term depends on who created the work and when.
Works created today by an individual
For a work created by an individual on or after January 1, 1978, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. For a work with multiple authors, the term runs 70 years after the last surviving author's death.
Works made for hire, anonymous, and pseudonymous works
For works made for hire, and for anonymous or pseudonymous works, copyright lasts 95 years from first publication or 120 years from creation, whichever ends first. Learn more about the work made for hire rule.
Older works
Works published before 1978 follow older rules and shorter base terms that were later extended. Many works published in the United States more than 95 years ago have entered the public domain. The rules for this period are genuinely complicated, so when an older work's status matters, it is worth checking carefully.
What happens when copyright expires
When copyright expires, the work enters the public domain, meaning anyone can use it freely without permission. This is why classic books and old films can be freely reproduced.
Does registration change the term?
No. Registration does not extend or shorten how long your copyright lasts. The term is set by law based on authorship and date. What registration changes is your ability to enforce the copyright during that term, by giving you the right to sue and access to statutory damages. In other words, the clock runs the same either way, but only registration lets you defend the work while the clock is running.
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