Copyright and the Public Domain

To clear up any confusion, Copyrights in works created after January 1, 1978 last for 70 years after the author's death, or 95 years if the author is a corporation. For any work created before that date, the time period varies depending on the date the work was first published and the laws applicable. for example, all works more than 95 years old have fallen into the "public domain". Public domain is the term used for anything that has had its copyright expire or was never copyrighted. anything less than 95 years old must be carefully screened before it is assumed to be in the public domain. A good place to start your copyright research is the U.S. Copyright Office.