Are these films Public Domain? Is there a list of PD films?
By Yahoo User • Category: Copyrights RegistrationHere is what I found at U.S. Copyright Office on line about Bachelor Mother:1. Registration Number: PAu-1-319-642 Title: Bachelor mother. Description: motion picture. Note: Cataloged from appl. Claimant: RKO Pictures, Inc. Created: 1989 Registered: 8Nov89Author on © Application: Turner Entertainment Company, employer for hire. Previous Related Version: Original b & w version prev. reg. 1939, LP8986, and renewed 1966, R393972.Claim Limit: NEW MATTER: colorization. Miscellaneous: C.O. corres. Special Codes: 4/X/D It states a renewal in 1966, however, the law states only some works with copyrights/renewals before 1978 are protected. I believe the reference to 1989 is when they released the color version of the film.Also, there are some films that have NO information in the Copyright records does this denote that they are public domain? Thank You Very Much.
Potentially some may be in PD, but if Turner has his hooks into it, you know that it is not PD; they have copyright somehow
Copyright is life plus 75 years. Since most films are owned and created by corporations, and corporations do not die and are allowed to transfer the rights, then most films will not be in PD anytime soon. I do know that due to some legal glitch that It’s A Wonderful LIfe is in the Public Domain.