Posted by Chuck (G) on July 08, 2002 at 00:00:38:
In Reply to: Soviet Music posted by GAT?? on July 07, 2002 at 21:24:11:
As part of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) resulting from the Uruguay round of General Agreements on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), certain works originating in countries which were considered public domain in the US, but protected in their originating countries, may have their copyright "restored". That is, they are removed from the US public domain and afforded copyright protection.
The following US government circular explains the whole deal.