Protected
The Well
1951 · Cardinal Pictures / United Artists · Dir. Orson Welles
Manipulated by his jealous ensign Iago, the Moorish general Othello is driven to believe that his new wife Desdemona is unfaithful, setting in motion a chain of deception, jealousy, and violence that leads to tragedy.
Confidence
95
— Legal Reasoning —
Why this status applies
The film 'The Well', directed by Leo C. Popkin and Russell Rouse, was registered for copyright by Cardinal Pictures, Inc. on September 10, 1951 (LP1248). Under the 1909 Copyright Act, works from this era required a renewal in their 28th year to maintain protection. A search of the Stanford Copyright Renewal Database and the Library of Congress CCE confirms that a renewal was filed on July 13, 1979, by Cardinal Pictures, Inc. (RE-33-059).
Because the renewal was successfully filed within the 28-year window, the film is protected for a total of 95 years from its original publication date. It is currently scheduled to enter the public domain on January 1, 2027. The film's active copyright status is further evidenced by its continued licensing for home video distribution (e.g., Academy Entertainment, Image Entertainment) and inclusion in institutional film archives.
— Cited Sources —
Supporting facts
- Stanford Copyright Renewal Database (RE-33-059)
- Library of Congress Catalog of Copyright Entries: Motion Pictures 1950-1959 (LP1248)
- AFI Catalog of Feature Films (1951)
- Hurst, Film Superlist: Motion Pictures in the U.S. Public Domain 1940-1949 (Note: used for cross-referencing adjacent eras and renewal trends)
Research summary based on cited sources, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.