MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Is this book out of copyright? (how to find out)

Nate the great · 12-26-2007, 01:46 PM

This is my brief working guide, not an explanation of the whys and wherefores.

1964 Everything published after this year is under copyright until the end of time. It might have an open license, but it's still copyrighted.

1950 All copyrights before 1964 must be renewed in the 28th year, or the copyright lapses. The online records go back to to 1978, so all renewal notices of copyrights originally dated after 1950 can be found online.
http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwe...33132&PID=4257

before 1950 The copyright must be renewed in the 28th year, or it lapses. Unfortunately, the renewal notice is not online, it is on microfiche and has to be checked in person one sheet at a time. Plus, copies of the microfiche are in a limited number of locations in the US.

before 1923 Not In Copyright

If this seems unnecessarily complicated, good. I got all the details.

12-26-2007, 01:46 PM	#3
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Summary of US copyright law, by year This is my brief working guide, not an explanation of the whys and wherefores. 1964 Everything published after this year is under copyright until the end of time. It might have an open license, but it's still copyrighted. 1950 All copyrights before 1964 must be renewed in the 28th year, or the copyright lapses. The online records go back to to 1978, so all renewal notices of copyrights originally dated after 1950 can be found online. http://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwe...33132&PID=4257 before 1950 The copyright must be renewed in the 28th year, or it lapses. Unfortunately, the renewal notice is not online, it is on microfiche and has to be checked in person one sheet at a time. Plus, copies of the microfiche are in a limited number of locations in the US. before 1923 Not In Copyright If this seems unnecessarily complicated, good. I got all the details.