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Question about how public domain works in the US, specifically with regards to this comment in the original post: > Here are just a few of the works that will

Question about how public domain works in the US, specifically with regards to this comment in the original post: > Here are just a few of the works that will be in the US public domain in 2023. 2 They were supposed to go into the public domain in 2003, after being copyrighted for 75 years. But before this could happen, Congress hit a 20-year pause button and extended their copyright term to 95 years. Is the “20 year pause button” permanent, i.e. copyright term for all works moving forward will be 95 years? Or will that eventually expire and the term will revert to 75 years?

not2b 4y ago
Permanent. The term is 95 years now, unless Congress changes the law. And reducing it would be very difficult legally, with copyright holders suing for their theoretical losses if Congress "deprives" them of 20 years of protection that they now consider their property.
- 1980phipsi 4y ago
  I don't know if those suits would succeed. If Congress gives someone a benefit and then gets rid of it, then you can't sue the government to force them to keep giving it to you.
  - ThunderSizzle 4y ago
    You can, and it'll go through the federal courts. Your case might be quickly dismissed, or it might eventually cause a Consitution question to the Supreme Court. Or not.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
- StevePerkins 4y ago
  You could simply reduce it on a go-forward basis, grandfathering in works that are currently covered by the 95 year term. Not going to happen of course, regardless. But laws change all the time, and grandfather clauses generally make it a solved problem.
incompatible 4y ago
It won't be 95 years forever. For works created in or after 1978, the term is the life of the author plus 70 years.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- sircastor 4y ago
  So I might be able to see Star Wars enter public domain, but The Empire Strikes Back is outside the realm of a human lifespan.
- joshspankit 4y ago
  That might conceivably be over 170 years

not2b 4y ago

Permanent. The term is 95 years now, unless Congress changes the law. And reducing it would be very difficult legally, with copyright holders suing for their theoretical losses if Congress "deprives" them of 20 years of protection that they now consider their property.

1980phipsi 4y ago
I don't know if those suits would succeed. If Congress gives someone a benefit and then gets rid of it, then you can't sue the government to force them to keep giving it to you.
- ThunderSizzle 4y ago
  You can, and it'll go through the federal courts. Your case might be quickly dismissed, or it might eventually cause a Consitution question to the Supreme Court. Or not.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
StevePerkins 4y ago
You could simply reduce it on a go-forward basis, grandfathering in works that are currently covered by the 95 year term. Not going to happen of course, regardless. But laws change all the time, and grandfather clauses generally make it a solved problem.

incompatible 4y ago

It won't be 95 years forever. For works created in or after 1978, the term is the life of the author plus 70 years.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
sircastor 4y ago
So I might be able to see Star Wars enter public domain, but The Empire Strikes Back is outside the realm of a human lifespan.
joshspankit 4y ago
That might conceivably be over 170 years