Copyright is designed to protect artists or publishers.

The Statute of Anne, passed in England in 1710, excluded authors as potential beneficiaries of copyright law.

Public domain allows an artist or creator to hold the copyright of their work perpetually.

The Statute of Anne first established the idea that copyrights should have a limited duration.

Switzerland was the first country to offer copyright protection to all authors, regardless of nationality.

In the United States, copyright law is limited by the Constitution.

Copyright law extends to computer programs in the United States.

“Fair use” permits the use of copyrighted materials for advertising.

In the U.S. the general length of copyright protection is the life of the author plus 100 years.

In the U.S. pseudonymous works are protected by copyright for 95 years from the first publication or 120 years from the work’s creation, whichever is shorter.