Copyright Renewed by a dead Author

[n8r_]

We are trying to obtain the rights to a book that appears to have been re-registered in 1985, 28 years after it's initial copyrighting. The issue is the name it is registered under was deceased for 3 years at the time.

We have been in contact with the son of the original author/registrant and he has no idea who renewed it. Who would normally have the rights to this copyright? Can anyone shed some light on the subject to someone pretty new to this whole field.

Thanks
Nate

 

[jmacgregor]

This should help with your search for justice.

http://www.loc.gov/copyright/circs/circ15.pdf

If not, go to www.loc.gov and start a new search using your specifics.

Good luck!
jM

 

[Michael Wechsler]

The owner of the copyright can renew the copyright. This is not necessarily the author, such as where the author has signed away the copyright to the publisher. If there is a copyright, you should be able to locate the owner through the USPTO, the Patent and Trademark Office, which also has information about copyrights. http://www.uspto.gov/