how long does a copyright last for (on a song)?

Answer 1

Forever!

Answer 2

If you are in the UK, most of the above answers are wrong as they refer to the US.

In the UK this is governed by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. s13A of that act says that for sound recordings, the copyright expires 50 years after the end of the year in which the recording is made. So anytime soon, Cliff Richard's music will be out of copyright!

However, for all other things to which copyright applies (literary, dramatic, artistic works and music (ie not a song recorded by the lyrics to a song written down)) copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the author.

However, there is one famous exception! By s301, copyright on JM Barrie's 'Peter Pan' lasts forever as the proceeds from it go to Great Ormond Street's kids Hopsital.

Answer 3

For EU countries and the USA, the period is life of the composer plus 70 years. All Berne countries are required to offer life plus 50 years.

This having been said, the USA does not recognize rights that exceed those that were available to its own citizens. Thus most works published before 1925 are public domain in the USA whether of American or foreign origin. I think the UK has a similar provision, but not sure of what the cut-off year would be.

There are a number of other exceptions and variations but this is the general rule. No copyright runs forever, works eventually fall into public domain.

Answer 4

Copyrights last the life of the Author, writer etc. up to the end of the calendar year in which they died. Copyrights can not be transferred, but can be waived. If 2 authors compose a work the copyrights last until both are dead.

Answer 5

The U.S. Copyright Office says:

"A work that was created (fixed in tangible form for the first time) on or after January 1, 1978, is automatically protected from the moment of its creation and is ordinarily given a term enduring for the author’s life plus an additional 70 years after the author’s death. In the case of “a joint work prepared by two or more authors who did not work for hire,” the term lasts for 70 years after the last surviving author’s death. For works made for hire, and for anonymous and pseudonymous works (unless the author’s identity is revealed in Copyright Office records), the duration of copyright will be 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter."

Songs created before 1978 are handled a little differently but have similar proteections.

Answer 6

Typically, a copyright lasts for the life of the author PLUS 50 years.

Answer 7

Forever

Answer 8

It depends on the country.

In the US, its life of the author plus 70 years and for works of corporate authorship to 120 years after creation or 95 years after publication,

Answer 9

I think it is the life of the author and 70 years for any literary, dramatic or musical work.

Answer 10

the life of the writer , unless he sells it to a company