A copyrighted work does not fall into the public domain when the owner of it dies, but the duration of copyright protection often depends on the date its owner dies. Copyright is personal property that may be bequeathed or pass to the owner’s heirs under the relevant state inheritance laws for the remainder of the term of protection. Transfers of rights under copyright law generally remain effective upon the transferors death, although transfers may be terminated under certain circumstances set forth in the Copyright Act either by the owner and/or his or her heirs.