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March 29, 2024, 02:37:17 AM
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Badmovies.org Forum  |  Other Topics  |  Entertainment  |  Public Domain Video Games? « previous next »
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Author Topic: Public Domain Video Games?  (Read 2056 times)
Pacman000
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« on: May 30, 2017, 01:55:16 PM »

This came up on a thread on another site. (http://videogamecritic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5084&t=15864) Could some early video games have fallen into the public domain?  Here's what I wrote there:

Quote
I've wondered this myself. While copyrights generally last 90 years for corporations or the life-of-the author +70 years there are exceptions.

Until the late 70's U.S. copyrights lasted 28 years. They could then be renewed for a further 28 years. After that they fell into the public domain. That's why some movies from the 40's and 50's aren't copyrighted.

Until 1980 computer programs were considered large mathematical equations; ineligible for copyright.

I think there was a period in the late 70's/early 80's where authors had to register their copyrights w/in 5 years to avoid having their works fall into the public domain. Some small publishers might not have done that, so a few obscure games could be in the public domain, but you'd need to do a ton of research to be sure.

Standard Disclaimer: I'M NOT AN ATTORNEY! THIS IS NOT LEAGLE ADVISE! I CAN'T EVEN SPELL LEAGLE! IT"S JUST SOMETHING I FIND INTERESTING! GET AN ATTORNEY WITH EXPERIENCE IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW IF YOU WANT TO TRY ANYTHING!


I still think this is an interesting subject, and I'd like to get more thoughts on it. Any thoughts?
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Rev. Powell
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« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2017, 02:11:40 PM »

I agree with your premise and disclaimer. The registration requirement expired in 1978, though, so essentially only games before then are potentially public domain. And there are always wrinkles and exceptions, such as works published under other countries copyright laws, derivative works, etc., etc.  Smile
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AoTFan
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« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2017, 09:14:56 PM »

Dunno, but archive.com has a whole BUNCH of older games you can play right there on the website. 
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Pacman000
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« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2017, 08:11:40 AM »

Dunno, but archive.com has a whole BUNCH of older games you can play right there on the website. 
They've had to take a few down; they're operating with the assumption that they're a library and libraries make things accessible.
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