[20030214]RS21179_版权期限延长：埃尔德雷德诉阿什克罗夫特.pdf

1 P.L. 105-298.2 Different copyright terms may apply to works created before and after 1978. For more detailregarding the duration of copyright terms, see U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 15a, Duration ofCopyright: Provisions of the Law Dealing with the Length of Copyright Protection at(continued.)Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21179Updated February 14, 2003Copyright Term Extension: Eldred v. AshcroftRobin JewelerLegislative AttorneyAmerican Law DivisionSummaryThis report examines the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in Eldred v. Ashcroft.Plaintiffs/Petitioners challenged the constitutionality under the Copyright Clause of alaw adding 20 years to the terms of existing and future copyrights. The law was upheldby both the U.S. district court and the court of appeals considering it. Among thequestions before the Supreme Court was whether Congress may retrospectively extendthe term of copyright for existing copyrights; and, what role and impact, if any, does theFirst Amendment have in determining the validity of a congressional extension ofcopyright terms.On January 15, 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court handed