Is Tarzan the Ape Man (1932) in the Public Domain?
MGM's *Tarzan the Ape Man* (1932), starring Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen O'Sullivan, enters the US public domain on January 1, 2028. The earliest Edgar Rice Burroughs Tarzan novel (1912) is already public domain — but later novels and the Burroughs estate's active trademarks complicate commercial use of the character today.
Status
- The 1932 MGM film: protected through Dec 31, 2027.
- Burroughs' 1912 novel Tarzan of the Apes: public domain.
- Burroughs Inc. holds active US trademarks on "Tarzan" — this restricts merchandise and branding even when underlying works are PD.
January 1, 2028
- The 1932 film, score, and Weissmuller's performance enter the US public domain.
Trademark warning
Every Tarzan project — even an adaptation of the 1912 novel — typically gets a Burroughs Inc. cease-and-desist if it uses the character name commercially.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 1932 Tarzan film enter public domain?
January 1, 2028 in the United States.
Can I write a Tarzan story today?
You can adapt the 1912 novel's plot and characters, but Burroughs Inc. holds an active US trademark on the Tarzan name — expect pushback on commercial use.
Are Weissmuller's performances public domain?
His on-screen performance enters PD with each film on its own schedule — 1932's in 2028, 1934's in 2030, etc.
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