[noonespecial]

But copyright laws expire after a certain number of years after the creator's death

I'd argue that this(1) is(2) not(3) true(4).

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Act_of_1831

(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Act_of_1909

(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Act_of_1976

(4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_Term_Extension_Act