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Poster: LisaHolle Date: Mar 12, 2007 1:33pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: dracula 1931 copyright?

hi there,

i'm just wondering if the 1931 dracula is actually out of copyright yet. i found it everywhere but not here. now i'm unsure if i can legally upload it here as well.

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Poster: Polished Brass Productions Date: May 26, 2023 3:13pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

The Universal movie from 1931 is still under copyright protection and due to expire in a few short years, I believe January 1, 2028 but I'll need to check. It will enter the public domain the same time as the original Frankenstein movie with Boris Karloff.

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Poster: LordOfTheExacto Date: Mar 12, 2007 2:47pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

I sure hope you can, Lisa. I'm probably putting my old-movie-buff credentials on the line by admitting it, but I've never seen that film.

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Poster: LisaHolle Date: Mar 12, 2007 3:09pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/dcom/olia/copyright/copyrightrefresher.htm

i've had another look, i think this means that i can. take a look under "How long does copyright protection last?" what do you think?

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Poster: swampcat Date: Mar 13, 2007 1:01am
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

Dracula 1931, was renewed in 1958. Copyright is still good.

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Poster: LordOfTheExacto Date: Mar 13, 2007 1:59pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

Phooey. I guess I'm not surprised; rare is the popular, quality film that ends up PD. But hope sprang eternal. :)

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Poster: Cliff P LeGimp Date: Mar 15, 2007 1:06am
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

I believe all the old universal thirties and forties horror still are copyrighted by universal, there were a post about creature from the black lagune not so long ago.

But they can be bought extremely cheap on dvd, at least here in Denmark.

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Poster: bearcor1 Date: Mar 30, 2007 2:44pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

Universal now has copyright for Paramount studios productions pre 1948, when they were sold to MCA which later merged with Universal, they are very reluctant to release these films to dvd, particularly pre code material which is a shame. Paramount had a style all its own, unlike any other studio even the programmers are interesting.

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Poster: billbarstad Date: Mar 17, 2007 11:24am
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

I found a fine copy of the 1931 Dracula at Google Video. Seems to me that if Google can host it, it must be public domain...

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Poster: jonc Date: Mar 18, 2007 8:11am
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

No. There is vast unauthorized content on Google/YouTube. Viacom has filed a billion dollar lawsuit (yes, one billion dollars) for this reason.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/13/news/companies/youtube_viacom_reaction/index.htm?postversion=2007031312

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Poster: billbarstad Date: Apr 14, 2007 10:31am
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

I guess I should believe the many epitaphs for subtle humor. Yes, the conclusion in my post was intended to provide a few yuks. : )

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Poster: jonc Date: Apr 14, 2007 1:43pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

Thought that might be the case, but I wasn't sure. It looked like it needed a response.

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Poster: hyderpotter Date: Feb 19, 2014 5:39pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

But says Creative Commons license: CC0 1.0 Universal

https://archive.org/details/Dracula1931

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Poster: k-otic Date: Mar 31, 2007 2:35am
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

"Seems to me that if Google can host it, it must be public domain..."
Dude, this is a very interesting view ... ;)

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Poster: swampcat Date: Mar 31, 2007 10:10am
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

On the box of my Dracula the legacy Collection, it says copyright 1958 universal Studios. IT IS still Copywritten! I wish they would let the old movies go Public Domain. There are a lot I would love to have. I am on disablity, and money is kind of tight.

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Poster: coolermaster Date: Apr 30, 2007 5:07pm
Forum: feature_films Subject: Re: dracula 1931 copyright?

I am not arguing that copyright is wrong.
When lawsuits are taken out against individuals who break copyright it is often said that they are being sued to protect the lively hoods of the guys who made the pictures.

Well in the case of Dracula 1931 I would hazard a guess that all the guys that were in it and helped make it,are in heaven shooting a remake and besides the intial costs of this film + profits have probably been covered a hundred times over.