Seven Chances

Under the current copyright law of the United States (the Copyright Act of 1976 and subsequent amendments such as the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act), all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain. This transition occurs on a rolling basis every January 1st. 'Seven Chances', starring and directed by Buster Keaton, was released on March 11, 1925. Because it was published prior to the 1928 cutoff, its statutory copyright term has expired regardless of whether it was originally renewed. The film is now free for use, distribution, and adaptation in the United States without permission from the original estate or studio.