Most copyrighted works are protected as long as the author lives plus another 70 years after it. When it comes to coauthors, it will last for 70 years after the death of the last surviving creator.
Works made for hire, anonymous and pseudonymous works are protected for either a term of 95 years from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of creation, whichever is shorter.
When the terms expire, the work enters into the public domain, therefore anyone can use the work without having permission from the author.
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