Default 14 years copyright, an extra 14 years if explicitly renewed. The explicit renewal was required when the Constitution was written; and renewal remained

Default 14 years copyright, an extra 14 years if explicitly renewed. The explicit renewal was required when the Constitution was written; and renewal remained a requirement for some time, which is why (for example) many of Philip K. Dick's stories from the 50's are considered to be in the public domain (as I understand it). The current regime for individual creators is automatic life + 70 years, which is just way too long. For example, Lewis Carroll died in 1898; if the current regime had been in place, Disney would have had to get permission from Carroll's estate to make Alice in Wonderland all the way through 1968.