Thank you for your prompt reply, army judge.
Yes, it does matter. He sold all 2,000 copies - it was a book about our family's history and genealogy. The book is still in a very high demand - so much so that used book dealers who get their hands on a copy are asking $400 to $600 dollars for...
My first cousin once removed wrote a non-fiction book in 1967, copyrighted it and had 2,000 copies printed. He died in December 2002.
He left a will, though I'm not sure whether or not the copyright was specifically mentioned in the will.
The heirs believe they cannot have it reprinted...