Public Domain
Alias French Gertie
1930 · RKO Radio Pictures · Dir. George Archainbaud
A safecracker poses as a French maid in order to gain access to wealthy homes. In the midst of a nocturnal search for a cache of valuables, she is interrupted by another safecracker. Narrowly escaping arrest, they decide to pool their talents, but she gets the urge to reform and encourages him to do the same.
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
Alias French Gertie was released in 1930 and was originally registered for copyright by RKO Productions, Inc. on April 20, 1930 (LP1320). Under the Copyright Act of 1909, works registered between 1928 and 1963 required a manual renewal filing with the US Copyright Office during the 28th year of the initial term to extend protection for an additional 67 years.
A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) reveals no renewal registration for this motion picture. If RKO or a successor in interest had intended to maintain the copyright, a renewal would have needed to be filed in 1957 or 1958. Because no such renewal was recorded, the film automatically entered the public domain upon the expiration of its first 28-year term in 1958.
This status is corroborated by the film's inclusion in several reputable public domain databases and its availability through public domain film distributors like Alpha Video. The film is also listed in 'Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain' (Hurst) as a work for which no renewal was found.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (Motion Pictures)
- Catalog of Copyright Entries, 1957 and 1958 (Motion Pictures and Filmstrips)
- Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1920-1939) by D. Richard Baer
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (1921–1930)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.