Public Domain Hymn Chart
Summarizing the following U.S.A. Copyright Laws:
- 1976 Copyright Act
- Public Law 102-307 (enacted 1992)
- 1998 Amendment to the 1976 Copyright Act (Sonny Bono Amendment or Extension)
Date of Work | Copyright Begins | Copyright Ends |
Published Dec. 31, 1922 or earlier | Now in the public domain | Now in the public domain |
Published Jan. 1, 1923-Dec. 31, 1963 |
Date of publication |
If renewed after 28 years, copyright expires 95 years after date of publication. If not renewed after 28 years, work is now in the public domain. |
Published Jan. 1, 1964-Dec. 31, 1977 |
Date of publication | 95 years after date of publication |
Created Jan. 1, 1978 or later | When fixed in tangible form |
Life of composer + 70 years If work is by multiple composers, life of longest living composer + 70 years If work is a "work for hire," anonymous, or pseudonymous: 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter |
Created Jan. 1, 1978 or later, but never published | Jan. 1, 1978 | Life of composer + 70 years, or Dec. 31, 2002, whichever is longer |
Created before Jan. 1, 1978, but published between Jan. 1, 1978- Dec. 31, 2002 |
Jan. 1, 1978 | Life of composer + 70 years or Dec. 31, 2047, whichever is longer |
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