Public Domain
Cops
1922 · First National Pictures / Buster Keaton Productions · Dir. Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton gets involved in a series of misunderstandings involving a horse and cart. Eventually he infuriates every cop in the city when he accidentally interrupts a police parade.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Cops' is a well-documented American silent short film starring and directed by Buster Keaton. It was released in 1922 and was originally registered for US copyright upon release (LP17658). Under US copyright law, all works published prior to January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of whether they were originally registered or renewed.
While even the maximum 95-year copyright term (calculated as 28 years for the initial term plus 67 years for a renewal term) would have elapsed in 2017, the specific bright-line rule for works published before 1928 definitively places this work in the public domain. Consequently, it is free for use, distribution, and adaptation without permission from the original estate or studio.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- U.S. Copyright Office, Catalog of Copyright Entries (LP17658)
- Hurst, Richard Maurice. (Film Superlist: 1894-1939)
- Stanford University Copyright Renewal Database
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (Short Film Records)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.