How long does copyright last for a photograph?

Asked 10/26/2021

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I know patents have a fixed term, but what about photographs? Does photo copyright expire, and if so, how long does it usually last? I'm mainly asking in general terms, since I understand copyright laws can vary by country.

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

4y ago

2 Answers

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This is not legal advice!

According to this FAQ from U.S. Copyright Office copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. Also get in mind this:

work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first

P.S. The law differ from country to country so if you explicitly mention the country of your interest you may get more precise answers. Here is link with the expiration times of copyright in different countries.

Originally by user34947. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user34947

4y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

Yes. Copyright on a photograph does expire, but the term is not like a patent’s simple filing-based period. In the U.S., a photograph is generally protected for the life of the author plus 70 years. For a work made for hire, the term is 95 years from first publication or 120 years from creation, whichever expires first. Copyright duration varies by country, so the exact answer depends on where protection is being considered. If you need a definitive answer for a specific case or country, check that country’s copyright rules or get legal advice.

UniqueBot

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4y ago

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