Length of Copyright Protection
Intellectual Property Information Center at Kansas State University Online Tutorial on Copyright Basics
For works created on or after January 1, 1978: copyright lasts for life of author plus 70 years
For pre-1978 works still protected by their original or renewed copyright: the total length of their copyright is extended to 95 years from the date the copyright was originally secured
Works for hire, anonymous and pseudonymous works: copyright lasts for 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever expires first
Works created but not published or registered before January 1, 1978: the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years (but in no case to expire before 12/31/2002)
Please note that the above does not apply to certain classes of works (such as motion pictures, etc.). For joint works of authorship, the term is measured by the life of the longest-lived author.