New Batch of Creative Works Available on Public Domain Day

Editor’s Note: This article was provided by the NFHS Performing Arts Department.

Every January 1st, the United States and other countries around the world have a “Public Domain Day.” On this day, a new batch of creative works enter the public domain and will be free to use, copy, remix and share. This year, on January 1, 2022, not only did written and published works from 1926 enter the public domain, but it is estimated that more than 400,000 recordings created prior to 1923 entered the public domain as well. Some of the most classic literature, films and musical works from the world’s most renowned authors, producers and musicians that are now in the public domain are listed below.

Winnie-the-Pooh, A. A. Milne

Bambi, A Life in the Woods, Felix Salten

The Weary Blues, Langston Hughes

The Sun Also Rises, Ernest Hemingway

Enough Rope, Dorothy Parker

Battling Butler (starring Buster Keaton)

The Temptress (starring Greta Garbo)

The Son of the Sheik (starring Rudolph Valentino)

Down Home Blues, Ethel Waters

Black Bottom Stomp (Fred ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton)

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Irving Berlin)

Someone To Watch Over Me (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin)

Copyright is important for everyone as it protects an artist’s work and promotes creativity; however, when the copyright term ends, public domain allows works to be preserved and accessed by all. Due to the length of copyright, many works do not make it to the public domain in a lifetime. This can lead to cultural heritages becoming lost due to creative works going out of circulation before they are free to use by the public. We celebrate Public Domain Day and look forward to a new generation of artists and creators bringing a new life to these works, while in the process building upon a rich culture.

What does this mean for schools? Speech teams can create new literature interpretations of Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Always Rises, new jazz band arrangements can be made, theatre programs can create their own edition of Winnie the Pooh (first book only) or use some of the 400,000-plus recordings for soundtracks, video and synchronization projects. Co-curricular school programs all over the country should investigate what is now in Public Domain to best utilize it for their plays, teams, ensembles and assemblies.

To read more about what is entered public domain in 2022, please check out these links:

https://publicdomainreview.org/features/entering-the-public-domain/2022/ 
1. https://web.law.duke.edu/cspd/publicdomainday/2022/