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2020 in public domain

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When a work's copyright expires, it enters the public domain. The following is a list of creators whose works entered the public domain in 2020. Since laws vary globally, the copyright status of some works is not uniform.

Entering the public domain in countries with life + 70 years

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With the exception of Belarus (Life + 50 years) and Spain (which has a copyright term of Life + 80 years for creators that died before 1987), a work enters the public domain in Europe at the end of the calendar year following 70 years after the creator's death, if it was published during the creator's lifetime. Russia has a 4-year extension to Life+ 70 (in essence Life+74) for authors who worked during World War II in the Soviet Union.[1][2] The list is sorted alphabetically and includes a notable work of the creator that entered the public domain on January 1, 2020.

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Countries with life + 60 years

In Bangladesh, India, and Venezuela a work enters the public domain 60 years after the creator's death.

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Entering the public domain in countries with life + 50 years

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In most countries of Africa and Asia, as well as Belarus, Bolivia, Canada, New Zealand, Egypt and Uruguay; a work enters the public domain at the end of the calendar year following 50 years after the creator's death.

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Entering the public domain in Australia

See also: Copyright law of Australia

In 2004 copyright in Australia changed from a "plus 50" law to a "plus 70" law, in line with America and the European Union. But the change was not made retroactive (unlike the 1995 change in the European Union which brought some European authors back into copyright, especially those who died from 1925 to 1944). Hence the work of an author who died before 1955 is normally in the public domain in Australia; but the copyright of authors was extended to 70 years after death for those who died in 1955 or later, and no more Australian authors would come out of copyright until 1 January 2026 (those who died in 1955).

Unpublished works by authors who died in 1949 entered the public domain on 1 January 2020.[3] Any published literary, artistic, dramatic, or musical work (other than computer programs) by a not generally known author (anonymous or pseudonymous) from 1949 also entered the public domain on that date.

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Entering the public domain in the United States

See also: Public domain in the United States
The United States Marine Band's rendition of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin, which entered the public domain in the US in 2020.

Works that entered the public domain on January 1, 2020, in the United States include:

  • In general, works published in 1924 (including printed music). However, sound recordings that were first made prior to February 15, 1972, are treated as a special case under US copyright law, and under the Music Modernization Act, sound recordings published in 1924 will enter the public domain in 2025.
  • Books, films, and other works published in 1924 (under the Copyright Term Extension Act).[4]
  • Unpublished works whose authors died in 1949.

Some of the published works that entered the public domain[5] include the earliest sheet music[6] for George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Buster Keaton's silent comedy film Sherlock Jr.[7][8]

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Worldwide

In October 2020, satirical singer/songwriter Tom Lehrer announced the release of all of his lyrics and music to the public domain.[9]

On February 28th 2020, Sketchfab released 1.7 thousand 3D models of cultural artefacts into the public domain.[10]

On February 27th 2020, the Smithsonian Institution announced it will release 2.6 million images into the public domain.[11]

On January 14th 2020, Paris Musées released 100,000 images of artworks in the public domain.[12]

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