ABSTRACT
Often referred as the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, the bill is named after Congressman Sonny Bono. The act extends the U.S. copyright term from the lifespan of the author plus 50 years to lifespan of the author plus 70 years for works created after January 1, 1978. Workmade-for-hire, originally protected by copyright for 75 years after publication, was extended to 120 years after creation or 95 years after publication. Works published prior to January 1, 1978, were granted a 20-year extension to their protection. However, the act does not revive copyrights of works that have expired. The term endures for life of the author plus 70 years for works that are not published and created before 1978.
