Is there any way to make sure something is in the public domain...someone asked about Ibsen, specifically the early translations SEEM to be...any help is appreciated.
Thanks...
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"Sometimes – there's God – so quickly!"
The general rule is after 100 years it is in the public domain - hence "Alice in Wonderland", Shakespeare and (soon to be) "The Wizard of Oz"
Except for anything Jerome Robbins choreographed
lol
Madame Morrible: "So you take the chicken, now it must be a white chicken. The corpse can be any color. And that is the spell for lost luggage!" - The Yellow Brick Road Not Taken
But if the rights haven't been re-issued. Remember, too: If you are using an interpretation or any published cutting or specific dramatization THAT is still NOT Public Domain.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
Any work in which copyright hasn't been re-newed is considered Public Domain. This is why so many early literal works such as Shakespeare, Chekhov and the like are considered Public Domain. There simple isn't anyone to re-new copyright.
There's a wonderful website of available works which are Public Domain including some by Ibsen. You can download them to MP3 like an audiobook and listen to them (I do when I travel) or read them yourself. If you don't see the title you're looking for, just send an e-mail and ask. Keep in mind that works 75 to 100 years old are not likely to have a re-newed copyright and are most likely Public Domain even if you don't see them listed, however; family and publishers can re-new copyright, so always check before you assume a works to be Public Domain. Enjoy the website - it's one of my favorites.
I am busy cleaning out and backing up my hard drive today and found a list that I saved from goodness knows where of musicals that are in the public domain. Thought I would find somewhere relevant to post these on here, in case anyone was interested.
BABES IN TOYLAND BING BOYS ARE HERE BLUE BEARD CARMEN EARL AND THE GIRL EVANGELINE FLORODORA FORTUNE TELLER FORTY FIVE MINUTES FROM BROADWAY GARRICK GAIETIES H.M.S. PINAFORE IRENE LA TRAVIATA LITTLE JOHNNY JONES MESSIAH MIKADO MUSIC BOX REVUE NAUGHTY MARIETTA NUTCRACKER ORPHEUS IN THE UNDERWORLD PATIENCE PIRATES OF PENZANCE THE RED MILL SALLY SANTA CLAUS CHRISTMAS CANTATA THE SORCERER THE STUDENT PRINCE TALES OF HOFFMAN TRIAL BY JURY YEOMAN OF THE GUARD
I just copied and pasted that and I see that operas and oratorios are also represented here. I'm guessing that this list is at least 10 years old. Anyone got anything to add or discuss?
It would be great if people who do not actually know the answer would not post information in threads like this. Unfortunately, there is no simple rule that can be relied upon without asking a series of factual questions. I find the chart I have linked the easiest to understand.
To underscore what the first post correctly assumed, for a translation, it is always the date of the translation and not of the original work to which the copyright term applies. So, even if it is in the public domain in another language, the translation is a new work that is not. copyright chart