The Public Domain by 
| DATE OF WORK | PROTECTED FROM | TERM |
| Published before 1923 | In public domain | None |
| Published from 1923 - 63 | When published with notice | 28 years + could be renewed for 47 years, now extended by 20 years for a total renewal of 67 years. If not so renewed, now in public domain |
| Published from 1964 - 77 | When published with notice | 28 years for first term; now automatic extension of 67 years for second term |
| Created before 1-1-78 but not published | 1-1-78, the effective date of the 1976 Act which eliminated common law copyright | Life + 70 years or 12-31-2002, whichever is greater |
| Created before 1-1-78 but published between then and 12-31-2002 |
1-1-78, the effective date of the 1976 Act which eliminated common law copyright | Life + 70 years or 12-31-2047 whichever is greater |
| Created 1-1-78 or after | When work is fixed in tangible medium of expression | Life + 70 years (or if work of corporate authorship, the shorter of 95 years from publication, or 120 years from creation |
Chart by Lolly Gasaway from the webpage, "When U.S. Works Pass Into the Public Domain", 2003
