copyright laws?

Question

Hi.
Can anyone tell me how long does copyright last on pictures in old books ect; Is copyright forever or does it have fixed term.
Thanks Alan.

Answer 1

As far as I'm aware is held by the author for 75 years after the author's death, or otherwise transferred onto another legal entity (company/corporation).

Answer 2

If the photo is in a book, then it is a published item. For truly old books, the copyright period is based on the publication date and not the authors lifespan like it is currently. If the book was published prior to 1924 in the USA, it will be in the public domain. This rule applies only to the published version of the picture and not the negatives or prints.

published or not, all creative works fall into the public domain after a protection period. for EU countries and USA the protection period for new works is the life of the author plus an addition 70 years.

Answer 3

copyright (IIRC) lasts for 50 years, after the death of the copyright owner... but can be extended.

a picture in a book may be included in the book with permission (copyright retained by the photographer) or have the copyright of the publisher.

If you want to use a picture from a book, you may be able to use it under the 'fair use' rules. In any case, it is always polite to acknowledge the source.

Answer 4

70 years from the end of the calendar year in which the last remaining author of the work dies.

If the author is unknown, copyright will last for 70 years from end of the calendar year in which the work was created

Answer 5

Its forever unless it states a term (unlikely)

Answer 6

Go to this site for info: http://www.copyright.gov/

Specifically here for durations: http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html