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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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