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How ‘Public’ is the Public Domain? Winnie-the-Pooh Illustrates Copyright Limitations of Public Domain Works

IP Watchdog

You may have heard that on January 1, 2022, Winnie-the-Pooh and the other characters from the Hundred Acre Wood are now in the public domain. Milne’s characters from his 1926 books entered the public domain at the beginning of this year, but Disney’s iteration remains copyright protected for now.

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Public Domain of The Living Dead

IPilogue

Source: Screenshot of Night of the Living Dead (1968) opening credit / Public Domain. The film curiously entered the public domain due to a slight error, allowing widespread accessibility and reproduction. The film’s entry into the public domain allowed it to be licensed free of charge to any distributor.

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Copyright and Public Domain Issues with Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey

IPilogue

The IPilogue previously published about Winnie the Pooh entering the public domain when Ryan Reynolds created a fun viral commercial featuring the iconic original 1926 Winnie the Pooh. Ryan Reynolds’s fun-loving commercial was generally well-received by the public, but some claimed that this would “ ruin their childhood ”. .

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Police Photo: Public Domain or Fair Use?

Dear Rich IP Blog

Is it public domain or fair use? Public domain? Other states like Virginia, New York, and Massachusetts (called "open copyright" states) have a policy that makes state documents presumptively public domain. BTW, photos by federal law enforcement are public domain. May I use it?

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Mickey Mouse to Enter Public Domain in 2024

IPilogue

Every year on January 1, works protected under copyright law enter into the public domain due to their copyright protection expiring. Serena Nath is an IPilogue Writer and a 2L JD candidate at Osgoode Hall Law School.

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Navigating Book Copyright: Key Insights for Business Owners

Intepat

Public Domain Books Once copyright expires, a book enters the public domain, allowing unrestricted use. Public domain books are valuable for businesses since they can be used freely, republished, or modified. Resources like Project Gutenberg host many public domain books.

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Public Domain Full of Mousetraps After Steamboat Willie

JD Supra Law

The expiration of the 95-year copyright for Disney’s first Mickey Mouse from Steamboat Willie marked a momentous day in IP history. By: Akerman LLP