Go forth, copy and sell, sell, sell

Given the divisiveness of our nation, the rancor within the legal sector, and the pushing, pulling and fighting that surrounds, one might suspect that 2019 is another one of those years where "the law" is not being very nice to the normal folk. However, even if that is true (a big "IF"), there is still one massive exception that has drifted into being with little fanfare. Beginning this year, some of your favorite literary, movie, and song classics are now yours to take, tweak, re-do, modify, satire, parody, and simply copy and SELL, SELL, SELL, all without any fear of prosecution or threatening mail. If you are a quieter, less confrontational sort, you can also simply enjoy them in the privacy of your own home. The works that are now at your unadulterated disposal include films such as Cecile de Mille's "The Ten Commandments," some Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton classics, and a little known gem, "Scaramouche," which those "in the know" enjoy. The books you are now free to read, translate, change, rewrite, and turn into movies, plays, audio books or blogs, include Edgar Rice Burroughs' "Tarzan and the Golden Lion," Winston Churchill's "The World Crisis," Kahlil Gibran's "The Prophet," and Agatha Christie's "The Murder on the Links." The famous poem, Robert Frost's "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" is now also available to one and all, to do with as one wishes. So is the campy song favorite "Yes! We have no Bananas," and the "Charleston" and the "Tin Roof Blues." How did this happen? Like all good things, even copyright comes to an end eventually. Each of the above works, and many others, first entered copyright protection in 1923. Although, at the time, the copyrights on them were to expire in 1999 (after 75 years of protection), in 1998 Congress added an additional 20 years of protection to the copyright act, thus extending copyright protection for all then, and thereafter copyrighted works. As a result, works published in 1923 remained copyright protected until January 1, 2019. This time, Congress let the law run its course and, as a result, all 1923 published works entered the fabled "public domain" at the beginning of this year - something that has not happened to any work for over 20 years. This, of course, is also just the beginning of a watershed! Unless Congress acts again, from this point forward, each year will see more and more classic works become available - increasing the opportunity to view them, read them, hear them, remake them, update them, and enjoy them. In 2020, all works first copyrighted in 1924 will similarly enter the public domain, and so it will go. So, if you are one of those people who believe our nation will soon be swallowed up in a cavernous inferno, and will burn in a violently heated flame of destruction caused by discord between political leaders and between ourselves as common men and women, at least there is some good news. You can find solace in the knowledge that you will have a lot of good books to read by the fire. ----- © 2019 under analysis distribution, LLC. Under analysis is a nationally syndicated column of the Levison Group. Charles Kramer is a principal of the St Louis based law firm, Riezman Berger, P.C. Comments or criticisms about this colum may be sent to Mr.Kramer and the Levison Group, c/o this newspaper. Published: Fri, May 17, 2019