How long does copyright last?

How long copyright lasts depends on which country you are in. In general terms, with the exception of performers’ performances, sound recordings and broadcast signals, the term of copyright lasts for the life of the author and a period of 70 years from the end of the year in which the author died. For a sound recording and a broadcast signal the term is 70 years from the end of the year in which the recording was made or the signal was broadcast. For sound recordings published before that 70 year period expires, copyright continues until the earlier of the end of 75 years after the end of the calendar year in which the first publication of the sound recording occurs and the end of 100 yeears after the end of the calendar year in which that first fixation occurs. Once the term of copyright has expired a work becomes part of the public domain and the work can be used, e.g., reproduced or communicated, without permission. 

All Copyright Basics