Term of Copyright

/ˈtɜrm əv ˈkɒpiraɪt/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The duration of legal protection granted to a copyrighted work during which the copyright holder has exclusive rights.
    The term of copyright for most works created after 1978 is the life of the author plus 70 years.

Forms

  • term of copyright
  • terms of copyright

Commentary

Often specified by statute, the term of copyright varies by jurisdiction and can affect when a work enters the public domain.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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