Public Domain
A.W.O.L.
1918 · Cee Bee Films · Dir. Charles R. Bowers
A soldier impatient for his discharge from the army after the armistice ending World War I goes absent without leave and is faced with the consequences of his actions.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'A.W.O.L.' (also known as 'Absent Without Leave') was released in late 1918. It was a five-reel comedy/drama production by the Cee Bee Films Corporation and distributed by Goldwyn Pictures.
Under US copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain due to the expiration of their maximum copyright term (95 years). Because this film was published in 1918, its copyright expired no later than the end of 1993, assuming it was even properly registered and renewed. As it has passed the 1928 threshold, it is definitively in the public domain regardless of registration or renewal history.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress, Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE), Motion Pictures 1894-1912 & 1912-1939
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (The First One Hundred Years: 1893-1993)
- Hurst / D. Richard Baer, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1894-1939
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.