Public Domain
Fools of Fate
1909 · Biograph Company · Dir. D.W. Griffith
Fanny is the wife of Ben Webster, a trapper, and while he is an affectionate and dutiful husband, she yearns for something which appears better than her lot. She reasons: "Have I not youth and beauty and attainments far above this environment? Why should I be compelled to toil and struggle in this wilderness?"
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Fools of Fate' was directed by D.W. Griffith and released by the Biograph Company in October 1909. Under U.S. copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of renewal status or whether a copyright notice was originally present.
As a production from 1909, this film's maximum possible term of protection (under the 1909 Act and subsequent extensions) has expired. It moved into the public domain in the United States over 40 years ago, following the completion of its 75-year term (calculated as 28 years original plus 47 years renewal for works of this era).
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.