Public Domain
By Indian Post
1919 · The Universal Film Manufacturing Company · Dir. John Ford
Jode MacWilliams, a cowboy working on the Circle O ranch, has a crush on the boss's daughter, Peg. After his friend writes a love letter for him, an Indian steals and delivers it to Peg. Meanwhile, word of Jode's affection reaches Peg's father, who has a decidedly less romantic view of this young couple.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'By Indian Post' is a short Western directed by John Ford and released in May 1919 by Universal. Under current United States copyright law (17 U.S.C. § 304), all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain upon the expiration of their maximum 95-year term.
Since this film was released in 1919, its copyright protection expired no later than the end of 1994. No analysis of renewal records is required for this era, as the statutory limit for protection of 1919 works has passed regardless of whether a renewal was filed. The film is definitively in the public domain in the United States.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress: Catalog of Copyright Entries, Motion Pictures 1912-1939
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (John Ford filmography)
- Hurst, Richard Maurice. Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1894-1939
- 17 U.S.C. § 304 (Duration of Copyright)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.