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2023 in American public domain

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The Jazz Singer, the first feature-length film with synchronized sound, became public domain in 2023.[1]
NicknamePublic Domain Day
DateJanuary 1, 2023 (2023-01-01)
FrequencyAnnually
CountryUnited States
Previous event2022 in American public domain
Next event2024 in American public domain

Under the Copyright Term Extension Act, books published in 1927, films released in 1927, and other works published in 1927, entered the public domain in 2023. Unpublished works whose authors died in 1952 entered the public domain.

Background

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Main article: Public domain in the United States

The Copyright Term Extension Act provides that works published in 1927 enter the public domain on January 1, 2023.[2] Works that are published in 1927 and then translated in a later year may still be copyrighted.[3] Sound recordings, however, are treated differently. Under the Music Modernization Act, all sound recordings published between the late 1800s (the earliest days of sound recording technology) and 1922 had entered the public domain in 2022,[4][5] and sound recordings that were first published after 1922 would not enter the public domain until 100 years after their respective dates of publication.[6] Therefore, no sound recordings entered the public domain in 2023.

Films

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Notable films that entered the public domain in 2023 included the following:

Literature

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Notable literary works that entered the public domain in 2023 included:

The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes contained the last two short stories in the Canon of Sherlock Holmes, and was subject to a copyright dispute by Doyle's estate before its entry into the public domain.[8]

In September 2023, comic book writer Bill Willingham released the Fables intellectual property into the public domain.[9] Publisher DC Comics continues to claim ownership of the franchise and had an intent to enforce its copyright, but it has not attempted legal action against Willingham or any unauthorized uses of Fables since.[10][11]

Music

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Notable musical compositions entering the public domain in 2023 included the following:

References

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  1. ^ Wexler, Ellen (Smithsonian Magazine) (29 December 2022). "These Works Are Now in the Public Domain". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Copyright and the Public Domain". Public Domain Information Project. Archived from the original on 2014-08-01. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Public Domain Day 2023". Duke University School of Law. Archived from the original on 4 January 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  4. ^ Jenkins, Amanda (5 February 2019). "Copyright Breakdown: The Music Modernization Act | Now See Hear!". blogs.loc.gov. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  5. ^ Fishman, Stephen (2020). The Public Domain: How to Find & Use Copyright-Free Writings, Music, Art & More. Nolo. p. 332. ISBN 978-1-4133-2757-1.
  6. ^ Hirtle, Peter B. (3 January 2020). "Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States". Cornell University Library Copyright Information Center. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  7. ^ "Film & Television Licensing". Official Website of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Family Estate. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  8. ^ Wood, Robert (2023-09-14). ""I Can't Afford to Sue DC": Fables Creator Releases Hit Comic Series into Public Domain (Including Wolf Among Us)". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  9. ^ "Creator of the Wolf Among Us universe releases it to public domain". 16 September 2023.
  10. ^ "Fables: Free for All or Owned by One?". 29 February 2024.
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