Murder by Contract

Murder by Contract was released in the United States in December 1958. Under the Copyright Act of 1909, films from this era required a copyright renewal filing during the 28th year of their initial term to remain protected. A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Library of Congress records confirms that the film was successfully renewed. The original registration was filed by Orbit Productions, Inc. on December 1, 1958 (LP12897). The copyright was subsequently renewed on December 4, 1986, by Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (RE0000311234). Because the renewal was filed correctly within the 28-year window, the copyright was extended for a second term. Under the 1976 Act and subsequent extensions, the copyright persists for 95 years from the date of publication, meaning it will not enter the public domain in the United States until January 1, 2054.