I’m asking this here because it’s not really a “Cecil” type question, but I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas, input, legal notions or experiences that they can share.
As a lot of people know, I run a website about Disney short subjects. Along the line I’ve been able to acquire quite a number of very early pre-Mickey Mouse shorts which are now in the public domain. Since I’ve gotten quit a few requests through my site, I’ve been thinking about offerring a home made VCD of some of these for sale on the site.
Is there anything legally I should know? Pitfalls to look for?
I’d just tripple check on if they are really in the public domain. If they were created by Walt himself, then they may not be. Disney Lobbyed Congress to get teh Coyright laws extended. So no works enter the public domain 90 years after the artists death. How ever, if they had previously entered into the public domian, but would have been covered under the extendsion, the artists’ eststate could recalim them. ALl of htis happend about 5 years ago.
So be safe, contact the copyright office, and find out who holds the copyrights on the suff you’re trying to sell. Once its public domain, have fun
