Unlocking Creativity: New Year, New Additions to the Public Domain!

As the clock struck midnight and fireworks lit up the sky, not only did we welcome a new year but also a fresh wave of creative works into the public domain. This magical transition, which happens every January 1st, opens the gates for a plethora of artistic masterpieces to be enjoyed, shared, and reimagined by all.

What is the Public Domain?

Before we dive into the exciting additions, let's clarify what the public domain means. In essence, when a work enters the public domain, it means that it is no longer under copyright protection. This liberates it from the constraints of intellectual property law, allowing the public unrestricted access and use.

A Symphony of Creativity Unleashed

1. Peter Pan Takes Flight:

Sir James M. Barrie's enchanting tale of the boy who never grows up, "Peter Pan," has now spread its wings into the public domain. This means new adaptations, reimagining, and perhaps even a few more trips to Neverland in various art forms.

2. Orlando's Timeless Journey:

Enter the world of Virginia Woolf's "Orlando," a novel which has been the subject of women’s and genders studies for decades. This literary treasure, exploring themes of identity and time, is now yours to discover and reinterpret as it gracefully enters the public domain.

3. Mickey Mouse's Steamboat Adventure:

While Mickey Mouse has been an enduring symbol of joy, only his Steamboat Willie incarnation joins the public domain this year. This version, with its nostalgic charm, opens up possibilities for creators to pay homage to the origins of this beloved character.

Why Does It Matter?

The entry of works into the public domain is a celebration of creativity and cultural heritage. It provides artists, writers, and creators with a rich tapestry of raw materials to weave into their own masterpieces. It's an ode to the continuous cycle of inspiration and innovation that drives our artistic endeavors.

What Can You Do?

Whether you're an artist, a filmmaker, or simply a lover of the arts, the newly public domain works offer a playground of inspiration. You can create new adaptations, remixes, or simply revel in the joy of exploring these classics without the constraints of copyright.

Embracing the Public Domain

As we venture into this new year, let's celebrate the expanding boundaries of the public domain. It's a testament to the enduring power of human creativity, where each addition becomes a building block for future works, fostering a culture of shared inspiration and collective imagination.

So, here's to the artists, the dreamers, and the storytellers. May your creativity know no bounds in this vast and ever-expanding realm of the public domain! 

Disclaimer: This blog post offers general information and should not be considered legal advice. For personalized legal guidance, consult with an attorney.

Notable Films Entering the Public Domain in 2024

• Steamboat Willie, directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks

• Plane Crazy (silent version), directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks

• The Passion of Joan of Arc, directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, starring Renée Jeanne Falconetti

• The Cameraman, directed by Edward Sedgwick, starring Buster Keaton

• The Circus, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin

• The Last Command, directed by Josef von Sternberg, starring Emil Jannings (first Academy Award for Best Actor)

• The Singing Fool, directed by Lloyd Bacon, starring Al Jolson (follow-up to The Jazz Singer, which entered the public domain in 2023)

• Street Angel, directed by Frank Borzage, starring Janet Gaynor (first Academy Award for Best Actress)

• Lights of New York, directed by Bryan Foy, starring Helene Costello (first all-talking full-length feature film)

• Show People, directed by King Vidor, starring Marion Davies

• The Man Who Laughs, directed by Paul Leni, starring Conrad Veidt

• Speedy, directed by Ted Wilde, starring Harold Lloyd

• The Circus Kid, directed by George B. Seitz, starring Frankie Darro

• Four Sons, directed by John Ford, starring Margaret Mann

• The Crowd, directed by King Vidor, starring James Murray

• The Wedding March, directed by and starring Erich von Stroheim

• Beggars of Life, directed by William A. Wellman, starring Wallace Beery

• The Patriot, directed by Ernst Lubitsch, starring Emil Jannings

• The Wind, directed by Victor Sjöström, starring Lillian Gish

• The Docks of New York, directed by Josef von Sternberg, starring George Bancroft

Notable Literature Entering the Public Domain in 2024

• The House at Pooh Corner, A. A. Milne (introducing Tigger)

• Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, Edgar Rice Burroughs

• Peter Pan; or, the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up (play), J. M. Barrie

• Orlando: A Biography, Virginia Woolf

• All Quiet on the Western Front (original German), Erich Maria Remarque

• Lady Chatterley’s Lover, D. H. Lawrence

• The Mystery of the Blue Train (Hercule Poirot, #6), Agatha Christie

• The Threepenny Opera, Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill (music)

• The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, Dorothy Leigh Sayers

• Decline and Fall, Evelyn Waugh

• Millions of Cats, Wanda Gág (oldest American picture book still in print)

• Point Counter Point, Aldous Huxley

• Meet the Tiger, Leslie Charteris (introduction of “The Saint,” Simon Templar)

• Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation, Margaret Mead

• The Well of Loneliness, Radclyffe Hall

• The Trumpeter of Krakow, Eric P. Kelly

• Last Post, Ford Madox Ford

• West-Running Brook, Robert Frost

• The Tower, W. B. Yeats

• The Missing Chums, Hunting for Hidden Gold, and The Shore Road Mystery (The Hardy Boys #4, 5 and 6), Franklin W. Dixon (pseudonymous)

• Mr. Blettsworthy on Rampole Island, H.G. Wells

Notable Musical Compositions Entering

the Public Domain in 2024

• “I Wanna Be Loved by You,” w. Bert Kalmar, m. Harry Ruby and Herbert Stothart

• “Sonny Boy,” w. & m. Ray Henderson, Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown

• “Mack The Knife,” (original German), w. Bertolt Brecht, m. Kurt Weill

• “The Big Rock Candy Mountain,” w. & m. Harry McClintock

• “Empty Bed Blues,” w. & m. J. C. Johnson

• “There’s a Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder,” w. & m. Dave Dreyer, Billy Rose and Al Jolson

• “Sweet Sue, Just You,” w. Will J. Harris, m. Victor Young

• “West End Blues,” w. & m. Joseph Oliver and Clarence Williams

• “Ramona,” w. L. Wolfe Gilbert, m. Mabel Wayne

• “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby,” w. Dorothy Fields, m. Jimmy McHugh.

• “Makin’ Whoopee,” w. Gus Kahn, m. Walter Donaldson

Notable Sound Recordings Entering the Public Domain in 2024

• “Down Hearted Blues,” Bessie Smith

• “Barney Google,” Ernest Hare and Billy Jones

• “Dippermouth Blues,” King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band (w/ Louis Armstrong)

• “Swingin’ Down the Lane,” Isham Jones

• “Bambalina,” The Ray Miller Orchestra

• “No, No Nora,” Eddie Cantor

• “Yes! We Have No Bananas,” Furman and Nash (and several other versions)

• “I’ve Got the Yes! We Have No Banana Blues,” Eddie Cantor

• Waitin’ For the Evenin’ Mail,” Tennessee Ten

• Dreamy Melody,” Shannon Four

• “Who’s Sorry Now?,” Isham Jones

• “St Louis Blues,” W. C. Handy