Copyright duration

[Member 310024]

Does software copyright extend forever? For example, some COBOL compilers, text editors etc are now over 15 yrs old and I was wondering if eventually copyright, like patents, have a time limit on their coverage?

 

[MarcLodge]

Hi Terminate,
I am under the impression that once a thing (regardless of what it is) has been copyrighted, then that's it. I don't think you have to re-apply for the copyright, I think it is onwed by the copyright-ee in perpetuity.
Marc

 

[TonHu]

But then, why has Unisys just expired the LZW compression argorithm copyright in the GIF fileformat? (Was in the news few weeks ago)

I remember to have read somewhere about 50 years (or 50 years after death of) for copyrights issued by 'natural persons'. Dunno about companies.

FYI
TonHu

 

[3gm]

For new works, the copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. Works done for companies or published under pseudonyms work differently.

For a good summary of copyright durations, see

http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm.

Regards.

Glenn

 

[fredericofonseca]

if you are from the USA please look at

http://www.copyright.gov

for full information.

If you are on another country then rules will not be the same.


Regards

Frederico Fonseca
SysSoft Integrated Ltd

http://www.syssoft-int.com

 

[Dimandja]

Countries that are signatory to the 'Berne Convention' aggree to respect an author's rights as though the author were a citizen of that country.

Also, the minimum duration of a copyright is the author's life plus 50 years. Members can set longer durations as they wish.

Dimandja