Works set to become accessible to the general public without copyright restrictions in 2025.
Notable Works Now in the Public Domain: A 2025 Overview
The new year marks the entrance of several noteworthy works into the public domain, following the expiration of their copyrights, which were initially granted 95 years ago. This artistic treasure trove includes timeless literature, iconic characters, and influential novels.
According to the Center for the Study of the Public Domain, works entering the public domain serve a crucial role in fostering creativity by providing a platform for future artists to build upon existing masterpieces, free from legal repercussions.
In the United States, various works published in 1929 have now joined the public domain, including books, films, and musical compositions. Below, we highlight some of the most notable selections.
Literary Classics
Authors such as William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, and Dashiell Hammett have important works now open for public use, including The Sound and the Fury, A Farewell to Arms, and The Maltese Falcon.
Iconic Characters
Popeye the Sailor, who made his first appearance in the Thimble Theatre comic strip in January 1929, is among the characters now part of the public domain. Belgian comic book hero Tintin also enters, although the public domain status primarily applies to early stories and their U.S. publication.
Other Prominent Works
Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett, The Last Tycoon by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie (check U.S. publication year for public domain status), and The Roman Hat Mystery by Virginia Woolf are other significant works from 1929 that now belong to the public domain.
Films
While Mickey Mouse entered the public domain in 2024, his voice, heard in The Karnival Kid, is now available for use. Other are films The Cocoanuts, The Gallopin' Gaucho, and The Broadway Melody have also entered the public domain.
Musical Compositions
Cultural icons like "An American in Paris," "Ain't Misbehavin'," and "Singin' in the Rain" are among the musical compositions now accessible for use and adaptation.
As the public domain offers a wealth of creative possibilities, we encourage everyone to explore and utilize these works as the foundation for their own creations.
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Note: Always verify the specific U.S. publication date for works, especially for foreign authors, to ensure accurate public domain status.
By celebrating these works, we aim to foster a deeper appreciation for the artistic legacy they represent and the impact they continue to have on contemporary culture.
In addition to the literary classics, various home-and-garden and lifestyle books from 1929, such as "The Man Who Grew Tomatoes" by M.F.K. Fisher, have now also joined the public domain. For movie enthusiasts, the home-video formats of films like "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" and "In Old Arizona" have entered the public domain as well. Lastly, several influential music albums from the same year, such as "The Melody Master: American Pop Music of the Early Twentieth Century" and "Cole Porter's Parisian Tales," have become available, offering endless opportunities for remixes and adaptations in the realm of entertainment.
