"Under the 1909 Copyright Act, the original term lasted 28 years (not 26). It was renewable for an extra 28 years, for a total of 56 years. Until 1992, the work would enter the public domain if renewal was not filed in a timely manner. However, even with diligent research, it is very difficult to determine with assurance that renewal was not filed.

"In the mid 1950's Congress started working on a major revision of the copyright act, but by 1960 it was clear that this would not be a short process. By 1962, everything published before 1906 was in the public domain. It was clear that the new act would grant existing works a total term of 75 years. To prevent these works from losing out on the 75 year extension while Congress worked out all the other details of the new act, Congress started passing extension acts in 1962. Such extensions prevented copyright expirations before the passage of the 1976 Copyright Act, with the result that all copyrights in existence in 1962 were extended to at least 1976 when the 75-year term kicked in.

"Effective in 1998, after works first published in 1922 had passed into the public domain, the copyright term was extended for all works as to which copyright protection had not yet expired. For works published in 1923, and thereafter (provided they were renewed, or were exempt from renewal requirements). Thus, the effective term will be 95 years.

"The rules on public speeches, musical performances, and other works not originally fixed in a tangible medium of expression are confusing, and require a determination based on the facts of the individual instance.

"Rule of Thumb: Published before 1923 or published at least 95 years ago in the U.S. OR published 50 years after the author's death in some countries, 70 years after death in others."

Hope this confuses you as much as it does me!!!!