Protected
The Sniper
1952 · Stanley Kramer Productions / Columbia Pictures · Dir. Edward Dmytryk
Eddie Miller struggles with his hatred of women, he's especially bothered by seeing women with their lovers. He starts a killing spree as a sniper by shooting women from far distances. In an attempt to get caught, he writes an anonymous letter to the police begging them to stop him.
Confidence
100
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'The Sniper' (1952) was produced by Stanley Kramer Productions and distributed by Columbia Pictures. Under the US Copyright Act of 1909, works from this era required a copyright renewal during the 28th year of their initial term to remain protected for the full 95-year duration.
A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries (CCE) confirms that the film was registered on April 25, 1952 (LP1678). The copyright was successfully renewed on May 5, 1980, by Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. (RE-57-606). Because the renewal was filed within the statutory window, the film is protected by copyright in the United States until 95 years after its publication date, which is December 31, 2047.
The film is currently actively managed by Sony Pictures (the successor to Columbia), as evidenced by its availability on major digital platforms and recent high-definition restorations, further confirming its status as protected and not an orphan work.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (RE-57-606)
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries: Motion Pictures 1950–1959 (LP1678)
- Hurst/Baer, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1940-1949 (reference for renewal continuity)
- IMDb: The Sniper (1952)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.