Public Domain
The Ex-Convict
1904 · Edison Manufacturing Co. · Dir. Edwin S. Porter
A recently-released convict attempts to do right but struggles to support his wife and ailing daughter.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'The Ex-Convict' (also known by its catalog title 'The Ex-Convict; or, The Redemption') was produced by the Edison Manufacturing Company and directed by Edwin S. Porter. It was registered for copyright by Thomas A. Edison on November 16, 1904, under the registration number H53123.
Under current United States copyright law, all works published or registered before January 1, 1928, have entered the public domain regardless of renewal status. As a 1904 production, this film's maximum possible term of protection (95 years from publication) expired no later than the end of 1999. It is now free for use, distribution, and adaptation without permission from the original rightsholder.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Library of Congress, Catalog of Copyright Entries: Motion Pictures 1894–1912
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (Short Film Records)
- Internet Archive, 'The Ex-Convict (1904)' metadata
- Niver, Kemp R., 'Early Motion Pictures: The Paper Print Collection in the Library of Congress'
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.