Copyright Act section 203(a)(3): an individual author's right to end a grant after 35 years (17 U.S.C. 203(a)(3), (5))
An individual author who grants a licence, however 'perpetual', can end it in a five-year window that opens 35 years after signing, whatever the contract says. It does not apply to works made for hire, so most company records are unaffected.
Dated 28 Oct 2026Source checked 28 Oct 2026Quote found on its page again 29 Oct 2026Basis: primary text
Selling a company's data? This is one of the rules a sale has to meet, and the guide beside the button reads it in plain words.
- No data upload
- About two minutes
- No email needed
In the source's own words
“Termination of the grant may be effected at any time during a period of five years beginning at the end of thirty-five years from the date of execution of the grant;”
Where it was read
Figures it counts in
It is shown on its own, not counted into a figure.
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