Every January in the US, a fresh batch of previously copyrighted works enters the public domain. This year’s additions include books, plays, movies, art, musical compositions, and sound recordings from 1929 and earlier. Under the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, most works released after 1923 are protected for 95 years.
Duke University Center for the Study of the Public Domain has listed significant works entering the public domain this year. Notable novels include Ernest Hemingway’s Farewell to Arms and Agatha Christie’s The Seven Dials Mystery. Films from 1929 showcase sound addition, including Warner Bros.’ On With the Show! and Cecil B. DeMille’s films. Buster Keaton’s final silent film, Spite Marriage, is also included.
Musical compositions like Singin’ in the Rain and Tiptoe Through the Tulips enter the public domain this year. Disney’s Silly Symphony short The Skeleton Dance and Mickey Mouse shorts are among the releases. These works include early versions of iconic characters, making them significant for those seeking to use these characters without copyright restrictions.
As a result, creators can now publish, modify, and adapt these works without needing permission or paying royalties. This change allows for new adaptations and interpretations of classic works from the 1920s era.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/culture/2025/01/its-january-which-means-another-batch-of-copyrighted-work-is-now-public-domain