Public Domain
Life of an American Policeman
1905 · Edison Manufacturing Company · Dir. Edwin S. Porter
A policeman has breakfast with his wife and children, and then prepares for the day's work. While on his beat, he finds and helps a lost child. Later, several officers try to save a woman who has attempted to drown herself. And there are some even more hazardous situations yet to come.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'Life of an American Policeman' was produced by the Edison Manufacturing Company and directed by Edwin S. Porter. It was registered for copyright by Thomas A. Edison on December 18, 1905, under the registration number H70278. The film is a significant early example of the 'day in the life' procedural genre, following the activities of the New York City police force.
Under United States copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain. As this film was registered and released in 1905, it has surpassed the maximum possible copyright term of 75 or 95 years that existed under various copyright acts (including the 1909 and 1976 Acts). The copyright expired no later than the end of 1980 (75 years after publication).
The film is currently preserved by the Library of Congress and is widely available through public domain archives such as the Internet Archive. Because it predates the 1928 cutoff, its status as public domain is definitive regardless of renewal status or corporate succession.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress (Catalog of Copyright Entries, 1905)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (Early Cinema)
- Internet Archive (Public Domain Motion Pictures)
- Kemp R. Niver, Motion Pictures From The Library of Congress Paper Print Collection 1894-1912
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.