Short version: Pre-1923: Public domain. 1923-1977 w/o proper (c) notification: Public Domain 1923-1963, registered but not renewed 28 years later: Public Domain Same, renewed: 95 years after publication date. (Which you'll note we're approaching. Expect new lawsuits from MouseCo in the next couple of years.) That's the crucial time period--stuff made through 1963 that wasn't renewed, is now in the public domain. Other than that, the public domain is frozen, and won't see new content (except for gov't docs) until 2018.
1964 -1977, w/proper notification: 95 years after publication. 1978+: "Life + 70" kicks in, for works published with notice. There's some odd differences individual and corporate works, but for practical purposes, we can ignore them. We'll all be dead before Raiders of the Lost Ark is in the public domain. 1989+: Removal of requirement to notify for copyright; after that point, EVERYTHING printed (or "placed in a fixed form") is copyrighted.
1953 is 56 years ago--and before the '78 changes, that was the maximum time copyright worked for. 28 years on initial registration, with an option to extend for an additional 28 years.
no subject
Here's a psychotically complex chart showing publication date & copyright status.
Short version:
Pre-1923: Public domain.
1923-1977 w/o proper (c) notification: Public Domain
1923-1963, registered but not renewed 28 years later: Public Domain
Same, renewed: 95 years after publication date. (Which you'll note we're approaching. Expect new lawsuits from MouseCo in the next couple of years.) That's the crucial time period--stuff made through 1963 that wasn't renewed, is now in the public domain. Other than that, the public domain is frozen, and won't see new content (except for gov't docs) until 2018.
1964 -1977, w/proper notification: 95 years after publication.
1978+: "Life + 70" kicks in, for works published with notice. There's some odd differences individual and corporate works, but for practical purposes, we can ignore them. We'll all be dead before Raiders of the Lost Ark is in the public domain.
1989+: Removal of requirement to notify for copyright; after that point, EVERYTHING printed (or "placed in a fixed form") is copyrighted.
1953 is 56 years ago--and before the '78 changes, that was the maximum time copyright worked for. 28 years on initial registration, with an option to extend for an additional 28 years.