Protected
The Dark
1979 · Film Ventures International · Dir. Joe D'Amato
A disturbed young embalmer digs the grave of his recently deceased girlfriend and brings her body to his family villa with help from his strange housekeeper. But his bouts of insanity are just beginning.
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'The Dark' (also known as 'The Creatures from the Unknown') was released in June 1979. Under the 1976 Copyright Act, works published between 1978 and February 28, 1989, are protected if they were published with a valid copyright notice or if they were registered with the US Copyright Office within five years of publication.
A search of the US Copyright Office online database (CoCatalog) confirms that the film was formally registered on June 18, 1979 (Registration Number PA0000041838) by Film Ventures International, Inc. Because this registration occurred within the five-year 'cure' window required by 17 USC §405, the copyright was successfully secured regardless of any potential notice defects on theatrical prints.
As a work for hire published after 1977, the copyright term is 95 years from the date of publication. The film remains under copyright protection in the United States and is currently exploited commercially through licensed Blu-ray releases by companies like MVD Rewind Collection and Vinegar Syndrome, further indicating active rights management.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- US Copyright Office (Registration PA0000041838)
- IMDb: The Dark (1979)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The Dark (1979)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.