What Happens to a Copyright When Someone Dies?

United States laws provide a protection known as a copyright to authors of original works, including dramatic, musical and literary. Copyright gives authors the right to authorize others to use their work. Copyright owners are protected while they're alive and in many cases their works remain protected after their death.

Works Created Before 1978

Several amendments to the 1976 Copyright Act extended protection of works created and registered before January 1, 1978 to a total of 95 years.

Works Created After January 1, 1978

Works that were originally created on or after January 1,1978 are protected from the time the work is created, the duration of the author's life and 70 years after the author's death. Works that are made for hire and anonymous works are protected for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.

Unpublished Works Created Before January 1, 1978

Works that were originally created before January 1, 1978 and were not published by that date are protected from the time the work was created, the duration of the author's life and 70 years after the author's death. Works made for hire or anonymous works are protected for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.

References

• Copyright Basics