Copyrighted titles usually enter the public domain when their creators have passed for a long while. It has nearly been a century since British writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died, and his "Sherlock Holmes" stories' copyright protection is nearing its end.
What Will It Mean?
Sir Doyle's works entering the public domain means that anyone is free to republish or remake them, no matter how much or how little creative liberties they take. This also explains why it has taken so long for other classics to be remade in a more modern setting.
As mentioned in The Verge, it allows archivists not only to preserve but to redistribute the works as well to avoid them from being lost in history. It could also be a way for present generations to be introduced to the classics that were loved by older generations.
Before it was released from copyright, there were already movies and shows that featured the titular detective. The actors you might know who played them include Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr., and Henry Cavill.
In fact, the spin-off movie where Henry Cavill played Sherlock Holmes faced a copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit filed by the original author's estate. Although, the lawsuit against Netflix has already been dropped.
This will also mean that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's collection of "Sherlock Holmes" works can now be published online freely, or at least without legal implications. Some of his creations prior to his most-known book have already been freed from copyright as well.
Adding Titles to the Public Domain
"Sherlock Holmes" is not the sole title being freed from copyright, and some might say it has been long overdue. It was supposed to be released back in 2003, but Congress decided to extend the copyright terms for 20 more years, bringing us to now.
Virginia Wolfe's "To The Lighthouse" is also included in the list for 2023, as well as "Men Without Women" by Ernest Hemingway and "Mosquitoes" by William Faulkner, according to Duke's Center for the Study of the Public Domain.
Back in 2021, "The Great Gatsby" joined the no-copyright club, which has prompted many creatives to make new interpretations of the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic novel. Although, there were already works in honor of the novel before it was added to the public domain.
It was also the year when other works by Virginia Wolfe and Ernest Hemingway became free for remakes, which are "Mrs. Dalloway" and "In Our Time," respectively. You can also add "An American Tragedy" by Theodore Dreiser to the list, as mentioned in Entertainment.
In just another year, 2024 will also bring the free use of Mickey Mouse. Although, it's not as broad as others might believe. The more recognized version of Mickey Mouse which dons red shorts and white gloves will still be protected.
If creatives have their eye on the classic Mickey Mouse, however, then they are in luck. The specific Mickey Mouse variation in question is the one from "Steamboat Willie," where Mickey is whistling as he steers the boat, as mentioned in New York Times.
