Public Domain
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest
1908 · Edison Manufacturing Co. · Dir. J. Searle Dawley
A woodsman leaves a hut followed by a woman with their baby. Nearby some men chop down a tree. The baby is left outside the hut, but an eagle flies away with it.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
Rescued from an Eagle's Nest is a significant American short film released in 1908, famously featuring D.W. Griffith in his first screen acting role. Under United States copyright law, all works published before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of their original registration status or renewal history.
The film was originally registered for copyright by the Edison Manufacturing Co. at the time of its release. Records in the Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) and the Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (vol. 1) confirm its production and registration years. However, because it is an early silent-era work produced more than 95 years ago, it is now part of the global public domain. The film is widely available for free download and reuse via the Internet Archive and the Library of Congress paper print collection.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE)
- Hurst/Baer, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (1894-1939)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (Shorts)
- Internet Archive - Rescued from an Eagle's Nest (1908)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.