Re: French copyright law...

On 11 March 1997, Alicia Brillon <aliciab[_at_]ntserver1.photodisc.com> wrote:
>
> Coincidentally, I just received a fax from French counsel this morning
> which included some information on you inquiry.
>
> It appears that currently, article L 123-1 of the Code de la Propriete
> Intellectuelle (CPI) specifies that the author's rights are protected
> for 50 years after the year of death. European Community provisions
> (article 1 of the Directive dated October 29, 1993) extended that period
> to 70 years after the author's death. Member States were to modify
> their legislation by July 1, 1995.
>
> Apparently, the CPI does not yet refer to the 70 year period, but
> "Community rules may be considered to override it". Thus, we have been
> advised to follow the 70 years after death rule even though no Code
> amendment has occurred.

I am curious as to how this extention will effect two types of works. First, will all works currently protected by copyright benefit from this extention or only those copyrighted after the extention becomes law? Second, will this extention have the effect of "re-protecting" works which have fallen into the public domain under the fifty year term but which could still be protected under the seventy year term?

Emil Pellicer
<epellicer[_at_]colby-monet.com> Received on Thu Mar 13 1997 - 16:18:14 GMT