Q: If Sony as a company owns the Sly Cooper Trademark, when does that enter the public domain?
How I understand it, a work is protected for the authors lifetime plus 70 years, since it was created in the early 2000’s. And since a company or corporation is the author and can’t “Die” when would it go into the public domain? Is it just protected for 95 years and then it’s free to use?
A: The timeframes you’re discussing relate to copyrights, not trademarks. For a trademark, as long as the owner continues to use the name and continues to timely submit the proper renewal forms and fees, their protection does not expire.
A: In the United States, the length of copyright protection for works created by a corporation, such as Sony owning the Sly Cooper trademark, is generally 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever comes first. So, since Sly Cooper was created in the early 2000s, it would likely be protected by copyright until the year 2095 or later. However, copyright laws can vary by country, so it's best to check the specific laws in the country in which you plan to use the trademark.
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