Copyright Revision in the United States of America

Extract

Title 17 of the United States Code (Copyright Act of 1909) was amended in its entirety by Public Law 94–553 (90 Stat. 2541), on October 19, 1976. The new Statute specifies that, with particular exceptions, its provisions are to enter into force on January 1, 1978. Until then, the Copyright Act of 1909, as amended, remains in force. As a result, any cause of action in copyright arising before December 31, 1977 will be governed by the 1909 law. There is a three-year statute of limitations in which such an action may be brought. Hence, the 1909 law can be applicable in these cases until 1981.