Did they even build their system with the idea that copyright can expire? This is the first major video work to expire.
In a lot of companies this would be the first feature to be given low priority and sent to the bottom of the backlog. To be done "when we have the time"
It's not the first major video work to enter the public domain. Many have entered it before now due to some eccentricities of copyright law.
The 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, for example, entered the public domain immediately upon release because they forgot to include a copyright notice in the film which was a requirement at the time.
The only reason this one is so significant is because it's Disney's property.
Also Winnie the Pooh a few years ago
Only the first literary version, not the 1961 Disney film version (they licensed the rights). So you have to be very careful with what you use. The first book with Tigger included only hit the public domain this year for instance.
It could be not on purpose.
Did they even build their system with the idea that copyright can expire? This is the first major video work to expire.
In a lot of companies this would be the first feature to be given low priority and sent to the bottom of the backlog. To be done "when we have the time"
It's not the first major video work to enter the public domain. Many have entered it before now due to some eccentricities of copyright law.
The 1968 film Night of the Living Dead, for example, entered the public domain immediately upon release because they forgot to include a copyright notice in the film which was a requirement at the time.
The only reason this one is so significant is because it's Disney's property.
Also Winnie the Pooh a few years ago
Only the first literary version, not the 1961 Disney film version (they licensed the rights). So you have to be very careful with what you use. The first book with Tigger included only hit the public domain this year for instance.