Public Domain
Down to Earth
1917 · Artcraft Pictures Corp. · Dir. John Emerson
A healthy outdoors-type follows the girl he loves to a resort for wealthy hypochondriacs. In order to prove to her and the other patients that their "illnesses" are all in their minds, he hatches a scheme to take them on a boat ride, then get them stranded in the wilderness, where he can show them that they can live without their pills, doctors and "cures".
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Down to Earth' starring Douglas Fairbanks was released on August 11, 1917. According to U.S. copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of whether their copyright was renewed or if they were published with notice.
Under the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998, works from 1917 were protected for a maximum of 75 years (if renewed) or 95 years, all of which have since expired. As of January 1, 1993, this film became part of the public domain in the United States along with other works from its era. No further search of the Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) or renewal databases is required for works of this vintage to confirm public domain status.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.