Protected
Laser Mission
1989 · Intercontinental Releasing Corporation (IRC) · Dir. BJ Davis
A CIA agent is sent to get Professor Braun before the KGB can seize him as the Prof's knowledge, together with a recently stolen diamond, could be used to make a laser cannon.
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Laser Mission' was released in November 1989. This date is critical for US copyright analysis because the United States joined the Berne Convention on March 1, 1989. For any work published on or after this date, the requirement for a copyright notice (e.g., the © symbol) was abolished as a condition of copyright protection. Therefore, the film was automatically protected upon creation and publication under US law (17 USC § 102 and § 401).
Even though the film was a low-budget international co-production and has been widely distributed on budget DVD sets (such as Mill Creek) and uploaded to various 'public domain' YouTube channels, this is a result of lax enforcement or licensing by the rights holders rather than a legal lapse into the public domain. Because it was published after the Berne implementation date, it is entitled to a 95-year term from publication. There is no requirement for renewal for works from this era.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.