02-19-2006, 05:44 AM
Yes, it's possible that the show is in the public domain in other countries.
No, it's not in the pubic domain here.
The 1976 Act eliminated formalities such as registration. It extended protection to the show before the initial term had ended and registration would otherwise have been required.
The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act extended the copyrights to life of the author + 70 years (or 95 years for corporate works) in the U.S.
The copyrights in the Odd Couple potentially extend not merely to the production as a whole, but also to the soundtrack, teleplay and other components (I say "potentially" because when it was created there were formalities that might have prevented some elements from attaining a copyright). Until all of those parts enter the public domain, commercial copying is going to be an infringing use.
No, it's not in the pubic domain here.
The 1976 Act eliminated formalities such as registration. It extended protection to the show before the initial term had ended and registration would otherwise have been required.
The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act extended the copyrights to life of the author + 70 years (or 95 years for corporate works) in the U.S.
The copyrights in the Odd Couple potentially extend not merely to the production as a whole, but also to the soundtrack, teleplay and other components (I say "potentially" because when it was created there were formalities that might have prevented some elements from attaining a copyright). Until all of those parts enter the public domain, commercial copying is going to be an infringing use.