Is Fritz Lang's M (1931) in the Public Domain?
Fritz Lang's *M* (1931), the influential German thriller starring Peter Lorre, has a complicated US copyright history. The film enters the US public domain on January 1, 2027 under the 95-year term — and German rights expire on their own schedule. Several US prints have circulated as "public domain" for decades due to lapsed renewals, but the safest assumption in 2026 is that the film remains under copyright.
Status in 2026
- Original 1931 German release: still protected in the US until 2027.
- Some US prints of M have circulated without active enforcement, but renewal status is disputed.
- The film is widely available because of de facto rather than legal PD status.
January 1, 2027
- All US copyright claims expire under the 95-year rule.
- The film becomes safely usable for restoration, distribution, and remix in the US.
Source matters
If you're uploading or distributing M before 2027, use the often-cited US print and consult an attorney. From 2027 forward, the film is unambiguously free to use in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is M (1931) public domain?
In the US, definitively as of January 1, 2027. Earlier circulating 'public domain' prints rest on lapsed renewals and are riskier.
Can I use clips from M on YouTube?
Risk is low because of the film's long de facto PD circulation, but full legal certainty arrives January 1, 2027.
Are restorations also public domain?
No — modern restorations like Criterion's have fresh copyrights on the new transfer and audio.
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