How long the Copyright lasts?
Following its territorial nature (see above), the duration of copyright will vary from country to country. However, the Berne Convention establishes a minimum duration that all signatory countries shall grant to various types of work through their national laws.
In conformity with Article 7 of the Berne Convention, the provided term of protection is the lifetime of the creator plus fifty years (the term will always run from January the 1st of the year following the event indicated), with the following exceptions:
Cinematographic works: 50 years from ‘the work has been made available to the public with the consent of the author, or, failing such an event within 50 years from the making of such a work, 50 years from the making’;
Anonymous or pseudonymous works: 50 years from the date that the work has been lawfully made available to the public; however, if the pseudonym adopted by the author clearly demonstrates his/her identity, the term of protection shall be the usual one of the lifetime of the author plus fifty years;
Artistic works, such as photographs and applied art: At least 25 years from creation.
Work of joint authorship: in this case, the duration will be the lifetime of the last surviving author plus 50 years.
