The Beat Generation

The film 'The Beat Generation' was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) in 1959. Under the copyright laws governing works published between 1928 and 1963, a work required a timely renewal during its 28th year of the first term to maintain protection. For a 1959 film, this renewal window occurred in 1986 or 1987. A search of the US Copyright Office records confirms that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. successfully renewed the copyright for this motion picture. The renewal registration number is RE0000322744, filed on January 26, 1987. This registration refers to the original copyright registration number LP13977, dated July 1, 1959. Because the renewal was filed correctly within the statutory timeframe, the work did not enter the public domain. It is currently protected for a total term of 95 years from the date of publication, meaning it will not enter the US public domain until January 1, 2055.