Copyright law years

The length of copyright protection depends on several factors.
Generally, for most works created after 1978, protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.
For anonymous works, pseudonymous works, or works made for hire, the copyright term is 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from creation, whichever comes first.

The history of American copyright law originated with the introduction of the printing press to England in the late fifteenth century.
As the number of presses grew, authorities sought to control the publication of books by granting printers a near monopoly on publishing in England.