Entering the last mile - US Public Domain

[Greg Anos]

We are now in the last year of the of the Sonny Bono copyright extension act (AKA the Mickey Mouse Preservation Act).

Will there be another year added to the US public domain? Or will an extension get snuck in? (Maybe a last minute rider to something like a debt ceiling bill?)

Only The Shadow knows,. . . but he's still gagged by copyright . . .

[sealbeater]

I guess we'll be changing from 95 to 120 years.

https://priceonomics.com/how-mickey-...public-domain/

[pwalker8]

Well, the Senator from Disney (aka Fritz Hollings of South Carolina) retired back in 2005. I think it might be tough sledding this time out. It's going to be another decade or so before any of the significant Disney movie (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937). I would not be surprised if something happens before some of the famous movies from the late 30's goes into public domain.


Mickey is most likely going to be protected by trademark law, rather than copyright. The original Tarzan books are in public domain, but people can't write more Tarzan novels because Tarzan is protected by trademark.

[Abzeronow]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Mickey is most likely going to be protected by trademark law, rather than copyright. The original Tarzan books are in public domain, but people can't write more Tarzan novels because Tarzan is protected by trademark.

Edgar Rice Burroughs Inc. is also fortunate that the most iconic elements of the Tarzan franchise are from the 1930s movies. I think noncanonical Tarzan novels based on what is in the public domain would be possible. It would have to go through the litigation that Sherlock Holmes stuff had to go through since the Conan Doyle estate apparently made it very difficult for people to try to use what was already in the public domain but ultimately common sense win out & I occasionally see new Sherlock stuff on Kickstarter.

[Abzeronow]

For the record, I think since there is no European fig leaf this time & long copyright terms only benefit 2% of all authors/creators of material under copyright & Google and internet activists are louder and more powerful than 20 years ago, I think we'll see 1923 stuff let out of copyright jail at the end of the year.

It will be interesting to see if studios decide to adapt some Rafael Sabatini stuff again because that could be cinematic gold if adapted right.

[barryem]

I don't understand. Is the Sonny Bono act expiring?

Barry

[Abzeronow]

Originally Posted by barryem

I don't understand. Is the Sonny Bono act expiring?

Barry

Current U.S. copyright terms are 95 years from publication for pre-1978 works (for works that date to 1978 & after, it's Life + 70). As always, things would go into public domain the following January 1. Since 1923 is now 95 years ago, their copyrights expire at the end of this year.

[Katsunami]

Watchdog records show that the Disney Political Action Committee (PAC) paid out a total of $149,612 in direct campaign contributions to those considering the bill. Of the bill’s 25 sponsors (12 in the Senate, and 13 in the House), 19 received money from Disney’s CEO, Michael Eisner. In one instance, Eisner paid Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) $1,000 on the very same day that he signed on as a co-sponsor.

In the Netherlands, this is actually illegal. It will get you in jail for at least a few years if it is proven you took money from companies or individuals to help pass or change laws.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

In the Netherlands, this is actually illegal. It will get you in jail for at least a few years if it is proven you took money from companies or individuals to help pass or change laws.

In the US, it is only illegal if you can prove a direct causative link.

How to bribe a politician (without getting caught) was taught in secondary school. . . .

[pwalker8]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

In the US, it is only illegal if you can prove a direct causative link.

How to bribe a politician (without getting caught) was taught in secondary school. . . .

You mean how to bribe a politician without getting thrown in jail. Few care if they are caught as long as they get their way.

[Greg Anos]

Originally Posted by pwalker8

You mean how to bribe a politician without getting thrown in jail. Few care if they are caught as long as they get their way.

A reasonable quibble.