Far too long.
It should be something like a patent, IMO: 20 years.
Why?
Unlike a patent, a copyright doesn’t prevent the progression of new ideas and inventions.
It would seem that Orwell’s work is outside the law, since it was published before 1978 and he is clearly dead.
>>How long does a copyright last?
>
>Far too long.
Agreed.
>It should be something like a patent, IMO: 20 years.
Maybe 40 years, or perhaps the life of the author... (there are plenty of books that have become popular after 25 years while the author is still alive) but certainly not what exists.