Duration of Copyright

The duration of copyright refers to the length of time a creator has exclusive legal rights to their work. In general, copyright lasts for the creator’s lifetime plus an additional 70 years after their death. For works created by organizations or anonymous works, the period is typically 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever comes first. After these periods, the work enters the public domain, meaning anyone can use it without permission. This system encourages creativity by rewarding creators while eventually making works freely accessible to all.