If two people co-write a song, when does the 70-year term begin?

If two people co-write a song, when does the 70-year term begin?

• A. Life of the first writer plus 70 years.
• B. 70 years starts after the second writer dies.
• C. 95 years from release.
• D. 70 years from creation.

Answer: (B)

For jointly created works, the copyright term runs for the life of the last surviving author plus 70 years. With two co-authors, the 70-year period starts when the second (the later-dying) author dies and then lasts 70 years from that moment. That’s why the correct answer states the 70-year term begins after the second writer dies. The other options don’t fit because they’d apply the term in ways that don’t reflect the last-surviving-author rule (starting at creation, or using a fixed 95-year term) or would ignore the second author’s death.

For jointly created works, the copyright term runs for the life of the last surviving author plus 70 years. With two co-authors, the 70-year period starts when the second (the later-dying) author dies and then lasts 70 years from that moment. That’s why the correct answer states the 70-year term begins after the second writer dies. The other options don’t fit because they’d apply the term in ways that don’t reflect the last-surviving-author rule (starting at creation, or using a fixed 95-year term) or would ignore the second author’s death.