Protected
The Cheaters
1945 · Republic Pictures · Dir. Joseph Kane
An eccentric wealthy family facing bankruptcy schemes to steal an inheritance, but an alcoholic ex-actor they take in for Christmas charity complicates their plan.
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The Cheaters was a Joseph Kane production released by Republic Pictures in 1945. Under the US Copyright Act of 1909, works from this era required a copyright renewal in the 28th year of their first term to maintain protection. Research into the Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) and the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database shows that this film was successfully renewed.
The original registration was filed on June 13, 1945 (LP13328). The copyright was renewed by Republic Pictures in January 1973 (R543419). Because it was renewed, the film's copyright was extended; under subsequent legislation (the 1976 Act and the 1998 Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act), films renewed before 1978 enjoy a 95-year term from the original publication date. Consequently, the film is protected in the United States until January 1, 2041.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (R543419)
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries: Cumulative Series (1940-1949)
- Hurst / D. Richard Baer, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain (Volume 2: 1940-1949)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (1941-1950)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.