On January 1, 2025, thousands of copyrighted works first published in 1929 will enter the United States public domain—along with sound recordings from 1924. For creators, educators, researchers, and culture enthusiasts, this is cause for celebration. Not only do these works become freely available for everyone to read, view, hear, share, and adapt, but 2025 also marks the completion of a major cultural moment: with the addition of works from 1929, all material published in the 1920s is now in the public domain in the United States.
What Is the Public Domain?
The public domain is a vast collection of literary, artistic, musical, and cinematic works that are not protected by copyright. Once a work is in the public domain, the public may use it without legal restriction—reproducing, sharing, modifying, or creating new works from it. A work can enter the public domain in various ways:
Expiration of Copyright Term: Once the copyright term ends, works automatically pass into the public domain.
Publication Without Required Notice: Before March 1, 1989, failing to include the proper copyright notice caused some works to enter the public domain upon publication.
Author Dedication: An author can explicitly dedicate a work to the public domain.
(See 17 USCS, House Judiciary Committee, Report No. 94-1476, § 14902; Bridge Publs., Inc. v. F.A.C.T.Net, Inc., 183 F.R.D. 254; and § 1.31 Copyright Term and the Public Domain.)
Using Public Domain Material
Once in the public domain, a work can be freely copied, distributed, performed, or adapted without seeking permission or paying fees. For example, a teacher can share it in class, a filmmaker can incorporate it into a new movie, and a writer can create a modern adaptation without infringement concerns. However, it is important to remember that if someone crafts a new, original contribution on top of a public domain work, only the new material is protected by copyright. The underlying public domain portion remains free for all.
(See 321 Studios v. MGM Studios, Inc., 307 F. Supp. 2d 1085; Golan v. Gonzales, 501 F.3d 1179; Phoenix Entm’t, LLC v. Rumsey, 829 F.3d 817; and § 1.31 Copyright Term and the Public Domain.)
Copyright Duration in the U.S.
Different rules govern copyright duration based on when and how a work was created or published:
Works by Individual Authors: Life of the author plus 70 years
(Eldred v. Ashcroft, 537 U.S. 186; Golan v. Holder, 565 U.S. 302)
Works Made for Hire, Anonymous, or Pseudonymous: 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever comes first
(Eldred v. Ashcroft, 537 U.S. 186; 17 U.S.C. § 302)
Pre-1978 Works Not Published or Copyrighted Before 1978: Copyright term begins January 1, 1978, and extends to at least December 31, 2002; if published before December 31, 2002, copyright endures until at least December 31, 2047
(17 U.S.C. § 303)
Pre-1978 Works Published or Registered: Initially 28 years with an option to renew for 67 years (total 95 years)
(17 U.S.C. § 304; § 5.05 Duration Of Copyright)
Additionally, all copyright terms run until the end of the calendar year, when they would otherwise expire. For instance, if a work’s copyright ended on a particular date in 2030, it would remain protected until December 31, 2030. (See § 4.05 Duration of Copyright)
A Look at 1929’s Newly Public Domain Treasures
Literary Highlights
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf (first published in 1929, and now fully free to adapt and share in the U.S.)
Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
All Quiet on the Western Front (first English version), by Erich Maria Remarque (translated by Arthur Wesley Wheen)
Rope by Patrick Hamilton
A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes
Beloved Characters
Popeye: E. C. Segar’s iconic sailor man enters the public domain through the “Gobs of Work” comic in the Thimble Theatre newspaper strip.
Tintin: Hergé’s (Georges Remi) adventurous reporter first appeared in 1929 in Le Petit Vingtième magazine.
Films
Mickey Mouse Speaks: Several Mickey Mouse shorts, including The Karnival Kid, featuring the earliest example of Mickey’s spoken lines.
The Cocoanuts: The first Marx Brothers feature film, directed by Robert Florey and Joseph Santley.
The Broadway Melody: Directed by Harry Beaumont, winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The Hollywood Revue of 1929: Directed by Charles Reisner; includes the classic number “Singin’ in the Rain.”
The Skeleton Dance: Walt Disney’s first Silly Symphony short, animated by Ub Iwerks.
Blackmail: Alfred Hitchcock’s first sound film.
Hallelujah: Directed by King Vidor, among the first major studio films with an all–African American cast.
Musical Compositions
Singin’ in the Rain: Lyrics by Arthur Freed, music by Nacio Herb Brown.
Ain’t Misbehavin’: Lyrics by Andy Razaf, music by Thomas W. (“Fats”) Waller & Harry Brooks (from the musical Hot Chocolates).
An American in Paris: One of George Gershwin’s best-known orchestral works, now free to perform, record, and reimagine.
Why Public Domain Day Matters
By making these works free for all, Public Domain Day reminds us that culture thrives when ideas and creativity are openly shared. Public domain works provide a foundation from which new interpretations and adaptations emerge. They enable filmmakers, writers, musicians, and digital creators to stand on the shoulders of giants, breathing fresh life into classics while preserving them for future generations.
Whether you’re an educator incorporating these texts into lesson plans, a filmmaker seeking vintage footage, or an independent artist remixing timeless tunes, this year’s newly public domain treasures are open invitations to experiment, learn, and create.
Explore, Create, and Celebrate
With the arrival of Public Domain Day 2025, take a moment to discover (or rediscover) the groundbreaking artistry of the late 1920s. From Faulkner’s modernist storytelling to Disney’s revolutionary animation techniques, these newly liberated works offer no shortage of inspiration. Dive into the public domain to find your next big idea—or just enjoy these cultural gems without barriers.
Happy Public Domain Day 2025—your creative playground just got bigger!
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