# Copyright Question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 2, 2003, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/172592 "2003-05-02T10:33:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/172592/1 "2003-05-02T10:33:58Z")
When I boot up my PC in the mornings (Windows XP, installed earlier this year) I get the usual start-up screen which includes a copyright notice which says something like “Microsoft © 1995-2001”. Surely this doesn’t mean that the copyright only covers those years, does it? Thanks Grim ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/172592/2 "2003-05-02T10:42:02Z")
No, I think it means that the authorship of the work took place across an extended period of time. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/172592/3 "2003-05-02T12:17:40Z")
It means there are multiple copyrights. Some parts of the OS were developed and copyrighted in 1995, some in 1996, etc. The years are the year the copyright went into effect. Under law, the copyright lasts a set number of years after the copyright date (I believe its 75 years for corporations, but I don’t have my copy of the law handy). So Microsoft holds these copyrights until 2070 at the earliest. ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/172592/4 "2003-05-02T13:27:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > \*\*It means there are multiple copyrights. Some parts of the OS were developed and copyrighted in 1995, some in 1996, etc. > > The years are the year the copyright went into effect. Under law, the copyright lasts a set number of years after the copyright date (I believe its 75 years for corporations, but I don’t have my copy of the law handy). So Microsoft holds these copyrights until 2070 at the earliest. \*\* That makes sense - thanks chaps!! Grim ---
**Author:** ![Robb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Robb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robb)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/172592/5 "2003-05-02T15:05:13Z")
The year should be the year of first publication. [_See_ 17 U.S.C. 401](http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/401.html) > [@](#): > > Form of Notice. - > If a notice appears on the copies, it shall consist of the following three elements: > (1) the symbol (AF) (the letter C in a circle), or the word ‘‘Copyright’’, or the abbreviation ‘‘Copr.’’; and > (2)  **the year of first publication of the work; in the case of compilations, or derivative works incorporating previously published material, the year date of first publication of the compilation or derivative work is sufficient**. The year date may be omitted where a pictorial, graphic, or sculptural work, with accompanying text matter, if any, is reproduced in or on greeting cards, postcards, stationery, jewelry, dolls, toys, or any useful articles; and > (3) the name of the owner of copyright in the work, or an abbreviation by which the name can be recognized, or a generally known alternative designation of the owner. ---
**Author:** ![Peg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b38774/32.png) [@Peg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peg)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copyright-question/172592/6 "2003-05-02T17:35:31Z")
In the US, the term for corporate authors is the shorter of 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation. (17 USC 302©) The term is the same for anonymous & pseudonymous authors and work-for-hires. Add 95 to 1995 and that’s how long the relevant portions of code are given copyright protection.