Copyright

[meydele <meydele...>]

Sorry, Reyzl, copyright law is not that simple.  The key for determining the 
duration of the 
copyright is when and where the work was created.  

First issue:  was the work created in the US or registered for copyright in the 
US?  In other 
words, which country's law applies in providing basic copyright protection?  
Until recently, 
European copyright laws were more expansive than those in the US.  Recent 
changes in the law 
(1978 and after) have brought the US closer to the European laws.  If the work 
was created in 
the US, it will be subject to US laws.  If created elsewhere but a translation, 
adaptation or 
other derivative work will be created in the US, you need to look at how the US 
treats the work 
under its copyright treaties.

Second issue:  WHEN was the work first created.  The US copyright law now sets 
forth a confusing 
set of different rules for different works created at different times.  
Duration of copyright is 
also influenced by whether the work was created by a person, individually or 
jointly, or by a 
corporation.  The 1998 Copyright Extension Act changed the length of 
copyrights. The basic rule 
is now LIFE (of the author) PLUS 70.  However, certain work created before 1978 
may be covered 
by copyright for 120 years, some for 95.  Other works created before 1978 may 
already be in the 
public domain.

Sorry.  There just isn't one simple answer.  The overview which appears at 
http://www.nolo.com/ChunkPCT/PCT.index.html is clear and correct.  An easy to 
use site which 
provides copies of the Copyright Law (17 USC 101 et seq.)is 
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/topics/copyright.html (be sure to check amendments 
if you look at 
the actual statute!!).

Shira Lerner 



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