US copyrights for works first published in US, excluding audio works
Year of first publication Note: publication is not creation
Copyright duration
Before 1929
During 1929–63: without notice, or with notice but not renewed within 28 years of first publication
During 1964–77: without notice
From 1978 to March 1, 1989: without notice and without registration within 5 years of first publication
Work has entered US public domain
During 1929–63: with notice and renewed
During 1964–77: with notice
Copyrighted for 95 years after first publication
From 1978 to March 1, 1989: pre-1978 creation with notice, or without notice but registered within 5 years of first publication
From March 2, 1989 to 2002: pre-1978 creation
If author is known, copyrighted until the later of either 70 years pma or Dec 31, 2047
If author is unknown or corporate authorship, the earlier of 95 years after first publication or 120 years after creation, but not earlier than Dec 31, 2047
From 1978 to March 1, 1989: post-1977 creation with notice, or without notice but registered within 5 years of first publication
From March 2, 1989 to 2002: post-1977 creation
Unpublished before 2003 (i.e. first published after 2002)
If author is known, copyrighted for 70 years pma
If author is unknown or corporate authorship, the earlier of 95 years after first publication or 120 years after creation
pma: post mortem auctoris, or "after the author's death"