>copyright law applies

First that's not true and even if that would be only true in the US. Since the US is not THE "law" you cant say that.

Also:

>Under the current law, works created on or after January 1, 1978, have a copyright term of life of the author plus seventy years after the author's death.

https://www.copyright.gov/what-is-copyright/

So when Gates dies and i violate Microsofts License 7 years later i can have DOS 6.22 for free and redistribute it right?