For works created by an individual author, the term of copyright lasts how long?

For works created by an individual author, the term of copyright lasts how long?

• A. 70 years after publication
• B. 95 years from publication
• C. Life of author plus 70 years
• D. Life of author plus 95 years

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how long copyright lasts depends on who created the work. For works created by an individual author, the protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years after the author's death. So the clock starts at the author's death and ticks for 70 more years, after which the work generally enters the public domain. This timing reflects the modern standard set in the United States by the Copyright Term Extension Act. Why this fits best: the other durations don’t match the typical rule for individual-author works. 70 years after publication would ignore the author’s lifespan and isn’t the standard protection for a single author. 95 years from publication or life plus 95 years don’t align with the common term for individual authors; 95 years from publication is associated with different categories (like works made for hire or anonymous works) and isn’t the rule for works created by a single author.

The main idea is how long copyright lasts depends on who created the work. For works created by an individual author, the protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years after the author's death. So the clock starts at the author's death and ticks for 70 more years, after which the work generally enters the public domain. This timing reflects the modern standard set in the United States by the Copyright Term Extension Act.

Why this fits best: the other durations don’t match the typical rule for individual-author works. 70 years after publication would ignore the author’s lifespan and isn’t the standard protection for a single author. 95 years from publication or life plus 95 years don’t align with the common term for individual authors; 95 years from publication is associated with different categories (like works made for hire or anonymous works) and isn’t the rule for works created by a single author.