Drive a Crooked Road

Drive a Crooked Road was released in 1954 and entered its first 28-year copyright term following registration by Columbia Pictures Corp. (LP3506). Under the 1909 Copyright Act, works from this era required a timely renewal during the 28th year to avoid falling into the public domain. A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Library of Congress (via Film Superlist) confirms that Columbia Pictures successfully renewed the copyright. The renewal registration (RE110-394) was filed on December 3, 1981, which falls correctly within the renewal window for a 1954 publication. Because the copyright was properly renewed, the film was granted an extension of its term. Under the 1976 Copyright Act and the 1998 Copyright Term Extension Act, its protection now lasts for a total of 95 years from the original publication date. Consequently, the film will not enter the public domain until January 1, 2050.