Term of protection of copyright

The term of copyright protection refers to the time limit for copyright to be protected by law, or the validity period of copyright. During the term of copyright protection, the copyright of the work shall be protected by law accordingly. Unless otherwise provided by law, the permission and remuneration of the copyright owner shall be obtained for the use of the work. After the expiration of copyright protection, the work enters the "public domain" and is no longer protected by law, and anyone can use the work without obtaining the consent of the original author or paying the original author. The establishment of the term of copyright has played an important role in ensuring not only the exclusive right of copyright owners to works, but also ensuring that copyright becomes a tool for the development of national cultural and scientific undertakings.

So how long does the law say copyright lasts?

(1) The term of protection of the personal right of a work

The term of protection of the rights of authorship, modification and integrity protection in the personal rights of works is not limited and can be permanently protected. However, there is a time limit for the protection of the right of publication.

(2) The term of protection of the right of publication and property rights of works of natural persons

The term of protection of the right of publication and the right of use of a work of a citizen shall be the life of the author and 50 years after his death, expiring on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the death of the author; In the case of co-authors, on December 31 of the fiftieth year following the death of the last deceased author. If the author has not expressly stated that he will not publish a work before his death, the right of publication may be exercised by the successor or legatee within 50 years after the author's death; If there is no successor and no bequest, the work shall be exercised by the owner of the original work.

(3) The term of protection of the right of publication and the property rights of works of legal persons or other organizations

The term of protection of the right of publication and the right of use shall be 50 years, expiring on December 31 of the 50th year after the publication of the work. However, if the work is not published within 50 years after the completion of the work, the copyright shall no longer be protected.

(4) The term of protection of the right to use a work whose author is unknown

The term of protection of the right to use a work whose author is unknown shall expire on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the publication of the work. After the identity of the author is determined, the provisions of Article 21 of the Copyright Law shall be applied to determine the term of protection according to different types of works.

(5) The term of protection of cinematographic works, works created by means similar to cinematographic production, and photographic works

The term of protection of other rights such as the right of publication in a cinematographic work, a work created by a method similar to cinematography or a photographic work shall be fifty years, expiring on December 31 of the fiftieth year after the first publication of the work, provided that the copyright in a work that has not been published within fifty years after the completion of its creation shall no longer be protected.