Public Domain
Among the Cannibal Isles of the South Pacific
1918 · Martin Johnson Film Company · Dir. Martin E. Johnson
Documentary of an expedition by Martin E. Johnson and his wife into the native habitats of the Solomon and New Hebrides Islands in the South Pacific. The Johnsons travelled 18,000 miles by schooner, whaleboat, and native canoe to shoot footage of tribes previously unseen outside their native lands.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Among the Cannibal Isles of the South Pacific' was released in the United States in 1918. It was directed by the explorer Martin Johnson and documented his travels through the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) and the Solomon Islands.
Under United States copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain. Because this film was published and copyrighted in 1918 (Registration No. MP1250 on July 24, 1918, by the Martin Johnson Film Co.), it passed into the public domain on the expiration of its maximum possible term. The 75-year term for works of this era concluded at the end of 1993, and even under the 95-year window established by the Copyright Term Extension Act, it would have expired in 2013. However, since it predates 1928, it is considered public domain regardless of renewal status.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress: Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) 1918, Motion Pictures, MP1250
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films: Among the Cannibal Isles of the South Pacific (1918)
- Stanford University Copyright Renewal Database (Checked for historical verification, though pre-1928 status is absolute)
- Internet Archive: Among the Cannibal Isles of the South Pacific (Public Domain collection)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.