Abandonment of copyright
What does Abandonment of copyright mean in American Law?
The definition of Abandonment of copyright in the law of the United States, as defined by the lexicographer Arthur Leff in his legal dictionary is:
Under copyright law in effect until 1978, mere publication of a work without obtaining a copyright might effect an abandonment thereof. No evidence of intent to abandon copyright was necessary, but some level of mere inadvertance might prevent a finding of abandonment, especially in connection with a publication as to which a good faith but nonetheless defective or unsuccessful attempt to effect copyright had been made. Under the post-1978 Act, one is given a substantial period of time after publication to effect copyright, and it would seem that abandonment of copyright by publication will occur much less frequently.
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