Public Domain 2022

 

Original Winnie-the-Pooh artwork from 1926

In the US, January 1 each year is PUBLIC DOMAIN DAY.  On January 1, 2022, US copyrighted works from 1926 entered the public domain.  This includes books, films/movies, songs, and other works which are copyrighted.  What this means is they are free for all to copy, share, and build upon.

What entered the public domain this year?  Examples are Winnie the Pooh and Bambi.  [Because of prior acts of Congress, Mickey Mouse enters the public domain in 2024.]  Be careful though!  Just because the original character is in the public domain, the Disney rendition may NOT be.  And if the character is protected by trademark law, it may still be protected that way.

Learn about what entered the public domain here:

https://www.authorsalliance.org/2022/01/04/public-domain-day-2022-welcoming-works-from-1926-to-the-public-domain/ 

https://bookriot.com/public-domain-books-2022/ 

https://publicdomainreview.org/blog/2022/01/public-domain-day-2022 

 https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2022/