Copyright Durations in the USA

Never Published, Never Registered Works
Type of Work Copyright Term What was in the public domain in the U.S. as of 1, January 2016
Unpublished works Life of the author + 70 years Works from authors who died before 1946
Unpublished anonymous and pseudonymous works, and works made for hire (corporate authorship) 120 years from date of creation Works created before 1896
Unpublished works when the death date of the author is not known 120 years from date of creation Works created before 1896
Works Registered or First Published in the U.S.
Date of Publication Conditions Copyright Term
Before 1923 None None. In the public domain due to copyright expiration.
1923 through 1977 Published without a copyright notice None. In the public domain due to failure to comply with required formalities.
1978 to 1 March 1989 Published without notice, and without subsequent registration within 5 years None. In the public domain due to failure to comply with required formalities.
1978 to 1 March 1989 Published without notice, but with subsequent registration within 5 years 70 years after the death of
author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first.
1923 through 1963 Published with notice but copyright was not renewed None. In the public domain due to copyright expiration.
1923 through 1963 Published with notice and the copyright was renewed 95 years after publication date.
1964 through 1977 Published with notice 95 years after publication date.
1978 to 1 March 1989 Created after 1977 and published with notice 70 years after the death of author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first.
1978 to 1 March 1989 Created before 1978 and first published with notice in the specified period The greater of the term specified in the previous entry or 31 December 2047.
From 1 March 1989 through 2002 Created after 1977 70 years after the death of author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first.
From 1 March 1989 through 2002 Created before 1978 and first published in this period The greater of the term specified in the previous entry or 31 December 2047.
After 2002 None 70 years after the death of author. If a work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first.
Anytime Works prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties. None. In the public domain in the United States (17 U.S.C. § 105).
Works First Published Outside the U.S. by Foreign Nationals or U.S. Citizens Living Abroad
Date of Publication Conditions Copyright Term
Before 1923 None In the public domain (But see first special case below)
Works Published Abroad Before 1978
1923 through 1977 Published without compliance with US formalities, and in the public domain in its source country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases) In the public domain
1923 through 1977 Published in compliance with all US formalities (i.e., notice, renewal) 95 years after publication date
1923 through 1977 Solely published abroad, without compliance with US formalities or republication in the US, and not in the public domain in its home country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases) 95 years after publication date
1923 through 1977 Published in the US less than 30 days after publication abroad Use the US publication chart to determine duration
1923 through 1977 Published in the US more than 30 days after publication abroad, without compliance with US formalities, and not in the public domain in its home country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases) 95 years after publication date
Works Published Abroad After 1 January 1978
1 January 1978 to 1 March 1989 Published without copyright notice, and in the public domain in its source country as of 1 January 1996 (but see special cases) In the public domain
1 January 1978 to 1 March 1989 Published without copyright notice in a country that is a signatory to the Berne Convention and is not in the public domain in its source country as of
1 January 1996 (but see special cases)		 70 years after the death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication
1 January 1978 to 1 March 1989 Published with copyright notice by a non­US citizen in a country that was party to the Universal Copyright Convention (UCC) 70 years after the death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication
After 1 March 1989 Published in a country that is a signatory to the Berne Convention. 70 years after the death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication
After 1 March 1989 Published in a country with which the United States does not have copyright relations under a treaty In the public domain