Copyright_Act_of_1831
Copyright Act of 1831
U.S. federal copyright legislation
The Copyright Act of 1831[1] was the first major revision to the U.S. Copyright Law. The bill is largely the result of lobbying efforts by American lexicographer Noah Webster.
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The key changes in the Act included:
- Extension of the original copyright term from 14 years to 28 years, with an option to renew the copyright for another 14 years
- Addition of musical compositions to the list of statutorily protected works (though this protection only extended to reproductions of compositions in printed form; the public performance right was not recognized until later)
- Extension of the statute of limitations on copyright actions from one year to two
- Changes in copyright formality requirements