Public Domain
His Regeneration
1915 · Essanay Film Manufacturing Company · Dir. Gilbert M. Anderson
A rough criminal gets a second chance at life thanks to a kindly (and wealthy) lady saloon patron. But he hasn't gone straight yet, as he and a partner attempt to rob the home of a rich homeowner-- whose wife is asleep in the next room.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'His Regeneration' was released on May 7, 1915, by the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company. It is well-known for featuring a brief cameo by Charlie Chaplin, then a major star at Essanay, and was directed by Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson.
Under the current copyright laws of the United States, all works published before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain. This occurs because the maximum term of protection for works published under the 1909 Copyright Act was 95 years (including renewals). Since this film was published in 1915, its copyright expired no later than the end of 1990, even if it had been properly registered and renewed by Essanay or its successors.
The film is widely available on public domain archives, including the Internet Archive and various vintage film preservation sites, and it has been released by multiple budget home media distributors specializing in public domain content.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- U.S. Copyright Office, Catalog of Copyright Entries (1894-1927)
- IMDb (His Regeneration, 1915)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (Essanay 1915 records)
- Hurst, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1894-1939)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.