this is a direct quote from the copyright.gov site:
"Works Originally Created before January 1, 1978, But Not Published or Registered by That Date
These works have been automatically brought under the statute and are now given federal copyright protection. The duration of copyright in these works is generally computed in the same way as for works created on or after January 1, 1978: the life-plus-70 or 95/120-year terms apply to them as well. The law provides that in no case would the term of copyright for works in this category expire before December 31, 2002, and for works published on or before December 31, 2002, the term of copyright will not expire before December 31, 2047."
Huh? if i translate this correctly, if it was created before Jan 1 78 but not published before 31 Dec 2002, it's protected until at least 2002. however, if it was created before Jan 1 78, and published before 31 Dec 2002, it's protected until 31 Dec 2047.
i have a headache and kitty just fainted.