How long is copyright protection granted for an article published after the 1976 Copyright Act, excluding the author's life?

Copyright protection for an article published after the 1976 Copyright Act extends for 70 years following the death of the author. This length of protection is designed to encourage creativity while ensuring that authors or their estates can benefit from their work for a substantial period.

In cases where a work has more than one author, the copyright lasts for 70 years after the death of the last surviving author. Additionally, if the work is a "work for hire" or created under certain circumstances, the copyright lasts for 70 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation, whichever is shorter. However, regarding individual articles and the common understanding of authorship, the correct timeframe is 70 years post the author's death, aligning with the answer provided.

This 70-year duration represents a significant period that reflects the intention of the law to provide both recognition and economic incentive to authors for their contributions while eventually allowing works to enter the public domain.