Filmmaking / Directing : Public Domain by Peter I Tompkins

Peter I Tompkins

Public Domain

I want to create a series of video for distribution on the net that are created from snippets of "public domain" videos. How do I know if a movie or video is public domain?

Thanks,

Peter

Lindbergh E Hollingsworth

Find out what the years are for movies, etc before it enters public domain. Then you'll have a reference point for a year. Anything before year is public domain, and anything after the date is still protected. If you're using clips for education the clips may fall under 'fair use'. And if doing education or something similar you can also check with the studio or production company for permission to CYA.

DC Harrison

Films are hard because they incorporate cinematography, drama, literature, music, art, and/or trademark, so there is no single method for determining if a film, or parts of it, is in the public domain.

The Enoch Pratt Free Library has a page dedicated to "How Do I Find Movies in the Public Domain?" A good a place as any to start...

https://bit.ly/332Co3c

Peter I Tompkins

Thanks. I agree. I’ve scene movies that are considered public domain but there’s music, artwork, etc contained working that would have to fall under a different category. Thanks for the link.

Chris Joye

Interesting question. I’m a composer and know that while some compositions may be in public domain, the public performance may not be, so I assume the same with film, at some level. I know there is the Petrucci Library which houses many public domain scores, but that’s music...Wish I had an actual answer for you!

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