Understanding the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act: Key Provisions and Implications

Definition & Meaning

The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, enacted in 1998, is a significant piece of legislation that extends the duration of copyright protection in the United States. This Act modifies the Copyright Act of 1976 by increasing the length of time that authors and corporations can hold exclusive rights to their works. Specifically, it provides copyright protection for:

Individuals: for the life of the author plus seventy years.
Corporate authorship: for one hundred twenty years after creation or ninety-five years after publication, whichever is shorter.

Additionally, the Act introduces new rights and exemptions for authors and certain institutions regarding the termination of licensing agreements.

Table of content

Legal Use & context

This Act is primarily relevant in the field of intellectual property law, specifically copyright law. It is crucial for authors, artists, and corporations who create original works, as it affects how long they can control the use of their creations. The Act allows individuals to manage their copyright through legal forms that can be found on platforms like US Legal Forms, which provide templates for copyright registration and termination notices.

Key legal elements

Increases copyright duration for individuals to life plus seventy years.
Extends copyright for corporations to one hundred twenty years after creation or ninety-five years after publication.
Introduces a limited termination right for authors after a twenty-year period.
Expands eligibility for individuals to terminate licensing contracts.
Provides exemptions for libraries and educational institutions for specific uses during the twenty-year period.

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: An author publishes a novel in 1990. Under the Sonny Bono Act, they retain copyright until 2060 (the author's life plus seventy years).

Example 2: A corporation creates a film in 2000. The copyright lasts until 2120, which is one hundred twenty years after creation (hypothetical example).

Relevant laws & statutes

The primary statute related to this term is the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998. It amends the Copyright Act of 1976, which originally established the framework for copyright law in the United States.

Comparison with related terms

Term	Definition	Difference
Copyright	The legal right to control the use of original works.	The Sonny Bono Act specifically extends the duration of copyright protection.
Public Domain	Works that are not protected by copyright and can be used freely.	The Sonny Bono Act delays the entry of works into the public domain by extending copyright terms.

Common misunderstandings

What to do if this term applies to you

If you are an author or a corporation with copyrighted material, it is essential to understand your rights under the Sonny Bono Act. You may want to:

Register your copyright to ensure legal protection.
Consider using US Legal Forms to access templates for copyright registration and termination notices.
If you have questions or complex situations, consulting with a legal professional is advisable.

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Quick facts

Attribute	Details
Duration of Copyright (Individual)	Life of the author plus seventy years
Duration of Copyright (Corporate)	One hundred twenty years after creation or ninety-five years after publication
Termination Right	New limited right after twenty years
Exemptions	Narrow exemptions for libraries and educational institutions