Take Back What’s Yours: How to Reclaim Your Copyright After 35 Years
- Jeanetta Brantley
- Oct 31, 2023
- 1 min read
Made a bad deal 30 years ago? All hope isn’t lost! Thanks to U.S. copyright law, you may be able to reclaim the rights to your music 35 years after signing them away. This is a game-changer for artists who sold the rights to their work early in their careers and are now looking to take back control.
What is Copyright Termination?
In the U.S., copyright law allows artists to terminate the transfer of their copyright 35 years after signing it away. This means that if you sold or assigned your rights to a label or publisher decades ago, you can regain ownership. It's like a second chance to take control of your music.
Who Can Terminate a Transfer?
The original creator of the work (or their heirs) can file for termination.
If the work was a joint creation, all co-creators must agree to terminate the transfer.
How to Do It:
You need to file a formal notice of termination with the U.S. Copyright Office.
The notice must be served within a specific timeframe—between 2 and 10 years before the termination date.
You can only terminate for works created after 1978.
Why Does This Matter?
Many artists made bad deals early in their careers, giving away their rights for far less than they were worth. Copyright termination allows them to reclaim their works and start earning from them again, either by re-licensing or distributing them independently.
The Bottom Line:
Copyright termination gives you a rare opportunity to reclaim what’s rightfully yours. Don’t let bad deals from the past haunt your future—take back your music!
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