COPYRIGHT AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY: Lifecyle of Copyright

What is the lifespan of copyright?

The lifespan of copyright depends on the type of work protected:

• The copyright of literacy works lasts for 50 years after death of the author.
• The copyright of computer programs lasts for 50 years after the first copies were made available to the public.
• For sound recordings, the copyright lasts for 50 years from the day the work was first broadcast.
• For films, 50 years from the date the film was shown.

A Copyright is secured automatically when the work is created. Using the Copyright symbol © along with the year of first publication (or creation for unpublished works), and the author’s name signify the Copyright. For example, © 2010 BizFilings. Copyright infringement can be avoided by showing that the work in question was created independently of the copyrighted work.