Public domain, where art lives after copyright

Expiration dates on intellectual property were written into our Constitution, "to promote the progress of science and useful arts." And every year, more and more books, music and films enter the public domain and help to inspire new creative ideas. Correspondent Lee Cowan looks at how some works that fall into public domain (like F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, and Walt Disney's original Mickey Mouse) are being revived in new forms.
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[@Meridian83West]

Fun fact: until a judge declared it to be in public domain in 2016, "Happy Birthday To You" was a copyrighted song. Warner Music Group owned the copyright up to that point. I can remember seeing TV shows and commercials where they sung "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow" to celebrate a character's birthday because the producers apparently couldn't get clearance from WMG to use "Happy Birthday To You".

[@jeanetteschock4744]

John Oliver went after Steamboat Willie as soon as it was available 😂😂😂

[@AriannaCunningham]

This little documentary explains everything about Public Domain and Copyrighted works very well. And since Gershwin’s piece “Rhapsody in Blue” is now public domain, I’ve gotten a chance to make my own 2024 orchestra arrangement of it.

[@Samcraft10]

Public Domain: It's beautiful!

[@dwdependableweather531]

I love CBS Sunday Morning for this long format storytelling. I always learn something new.

[@Titleknown]

One fun thing they forgot is that, due to quirks in US copyright, a lot of stuff after 1928 is public domain due to failures to re-register it or put proper copyright notice on it when it was required.

[@NolaChick82]

Nothing is ever going to take away from the original work, and I think it's an interesting opportunity to build upon an original story or concept.

[@mililaniman]

It is amazing to think every form of entertainment I have enjoyed is now in public domain.

[@MrJoshinJosh]

I’m definitely enjoying the first six months of Steamboat Willie being in The Public Domain😊👍

[@catlover34fl]

For more than 50 years, I have waited to see the 1932 pre-code film Letty Lynton starring Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery. When will this film ever be remastered and released for the public to see before I die?

[@CathyS_Bx]

I wish the actual authors/creators could have a say in when their works hit the public domain. Not longer, mind you! I write and would hope my works would be public domain right after I die.

[@ZehoOriginality]

As a writer, I'd shorten down to fifty years. I've always been opposed of the 'Estate'.

[@TheSJCieply]

Interestingly, Peter Pan, cited here, isn't in the public domain in the UK. The author gave its copyright to the Great Ormond Street Hospital, a children's hospital. Due to an act of parliament, it perpetually has the right to collect royalties.

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

There's so much to feel fine about😢😢😢 Disney was a peace activist as well, beyond any war affairs, having a world made for kids is...our biggest struggle above all 😢😢😢

[@maestoso47]

Corporations care more about copyright than artists.

[@charziard35]

95 years is WAY too long for a work to be copyrighted. Realistically as they said, most works aren’t economically viable for 95 years and in my personal opinion, it shouldn’t extend past a humans lifetime (around 80 years) . These works are better when they can be worked and adapted on to make something new and to push the medium forward, that’s what I believe the founding fathers also intended by noting that in the constitution.

[@marsspacex6065]

It should be 50 years that’s means stuff from before 1974 would be public domain

[@jjgreen5206]

All of these things should be public domain.

[@DWNicolo]

Do a story on fair use. I’m waiting for Star Trek to come into the public domain myself.

[@oeao2841]

There's a streaming app that made a gift out steamboat willy