Public Domain
Gertie the Dinosaur
1914 · Winsor McCay · Dir. Winsor McCay
Although not the first feature-length animated film, as is sometimes thought, it was the first cartoon to feature a character with an appealing personality. The appearance of a true character distinguished it from earlier animated "trick films", such as those of Blackton and Cohl, and makes it the predecessor to later popular cartoons such as those by Walt Disney. The film was also the first to be created using keyframe animation.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
Under the US Copyright Act of 1976 and subsequent extensions like the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act, all works published or registered for copyright before January 1, 1929, have entered the public domain in the United States. 'Gertie the Dinosaur', created by Winsor McCay, was first premiered as a vaudeville act in February 1914 and later released as a short film in December 1914.
Because the film was published in 1914, its maximum possible copyright term (including the 75-year term under the 1976 Act and the 20-year extension) expired no later than the end of 1989. Even if the copyright had been perfectly maintained and renewed, it would have entered the public domain decades ago. As of January 1, 2024, all works from 1928 and earlier are in the public domain regardless of renewal status.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.