Quote: Stephen Goodlad @ 24th February 2021, 8:32 AMJust for clarity:
Before 1923 - are in public domain and can be used freely by anyone.
Between 1923 and 1978 - without a public copyright notice, are also in public domain.
Between 1923 and 1963 - published with a copyright notice, but the copyright has not been renewed, are available in public domain.
Between 1923 and 1963 - published with a copyright notice, and that notice has been renewed, are only available in public domain 95 years after the publication date.
Between 1964 and 1978 - published with a copyright notice, are available in public domain 70 years after the death of the author. If the postcard was a corporate authorship, it is in public domain 95 years after the publication or 120 years from when it was first created.
Between 1978 and March 1, 1989 - without an initial public copyright notice, but then a copyright notice was filed after publication, are in public domain only 70 years after the death of the author. If the postcard was a corporate authorship, it is in public domain 95 years after the publication or 120 years from when it was first created.
Between 1978 and March 1, 1989 - with a copyright notice, are in public domain only 70 years after the death of the author. If the postcard was a corporate authorship, it is in public domain 95 years after the publication or 120 years from when it was first created.
After March 1, 1989 - without a public copyright notice are in public domain only 70 years after the death of the author. If the postcard was a corporate authorship, it is in public domain 95 years after the publication or 120 years from when it was first created.
UK law as far as I recall does not require a public copyright notices for copyright to exist. I think you are quoting USA law and so much of it is wrong for the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/topic/intellectual-property/copyright
You can mark your work with the copyright symbol (©), your name and the year of creation. Whether you mark the work or not doesn't affect the level of protection you have.