The copyright in works eligible for renewal on or after June 26, 1992, will vest in the name of the renewal claimant on the effective date of any renewal registration made during the 28th year of the original term.  Otherwise, the renewal copyright will vest in the party entitled to claim renewal as of December 31st of the 28th year.

For works already under statutory copyright protection before 1978, the present law provides a similar right of termination covering the newly added years that extended the former maximum term of the copyright from 56 to 95 years.  For further information, request Circular 15a [http://www.loc.gov/copyright/circs/circ15a.pdf] and Circular 15t [http://www.loc.gov/copyright/circs/circ15t.pdf] .

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INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

There is no such thing as an “international copyright” that will automatically protect an author’s writings throughout the entire world.  Protection against unauthorized use in a particular country depends, basically, on the national laws of that country.  However, most countries do offer protection to foreign works under certain conditions, and these conditions have been greatly simplified by international copyright treaties and conventions.  For further information and a list of countries that maintain copyright relations with the United States, request “International Copyright Relations of the United States.” [http://www.loc.gov/copyright/circs/circ38a.pdf].

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COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION

In general, copyright registration is a legal formality intended to make a public record of the basic facts of a particular copyright.  However, registration is not a condition of copyright protection.  Even though registration is not a requirement for protection, the copyright law provides several inducements or advantages to encourage copyright owners to make registration.  Among these advantages are the following: 

  + Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.

  + Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is
    necessary for works of U. S. origin.

  + If made before or within 5 years of publication, registration will
    establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the
    copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate.

  + If registration is made within 3 months after publication of the
    work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and
    attorney’s fees will be available to the copyright owner in court
    actions.  Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is
    available to the copyright owner.