Public Domain
Huckleberry Finn
1920 · Famous Players-Lasky / Paramount · Dir. William Desmond Taylor
Huckleberry Finn, a rambuctious boy adventurer chafing under the bonds of civilization, escapes his humdrum world and his selfish, plotting father by sailing a raft down the Mississippi River. Accompanying him is Jim, a slave running away from being sold. Together the two strike a bond of friendship that takes them through harrowing events and thrilling adventures.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The 1920 production of 'Huckleberry Finn', directed by William Desmond Taylor and produced by Paramount's predecessor Famous Players-Lasky, is in the public domain in the United States. Under current US copyright law, all works published or registered for copyright before January 1, 1928, have seen their statutory copyright terms expire.
As a film released in 1920, it was originally subject to a 28-year first term followed by a 28-year renewal term. Regardless of whether the copyright was renewed in the 1940s, the maximum possible protection period for 1920 works concluded on December 31, 1995. This film entered the public domain on January 1, 1996, at the latest. It is now freely available for use, redistribution, and derivation.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Hurst, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1894-1939
- U.S. Copyright Office Circular 15a: Duration of Copyright
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.