Hopper and Klee Works Enter Public Domain in 2020
As of January 1, 2020, a variety of artistic creations, including artworks, literature, films, and music, became available in the public domain across the U.S. and EU. In the EU, a work enters the public domain 70 years post the author's death, whereas in the U.S., works published between 1923 and 1977 are safeguarded for 95 years, allowing all creations from 1924 to be freely utilized. The Public Domain Review has curated a selection of these copyright-free pieces. Among the notable artworks are Edward Hopper's "New York Pavements," Paul Klee's "Asiatic God," and Joan Miró's "Le Piège." Literary contributions include Mark Twain's "The Autobiography" and Agatha Christie's "The Man in the Brown Suit," while films feature Erich von Stroheim's "Greed," and musical pieces include Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."
Key facts
- Works created in 1924 entered the public domain in the US on January 1, 2020.
- In the EU, works become public domain 70 years after the author's death.
- Public Domain Review compiled the list of copyright-free works.
- Public Domain Day is celebrated annually on January 1.
- Public Domain Day was created by Wallace McLean with support from Lawrence Lessig.
- Edward Hopper's 'New York Pavements' is among the artworks now in the public domain.
- Paul Klee's 'Asiatic God', 'Carnival in the Mountains', and 'Flower Garden' are now public domain.
- George Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue' is now in the public domain.
Entities
Artists
- Edward Hopper
- Paul Klee
- Otto Dix
- Wassily Kandinsky
- Joan Miró
- Emil Nolde
- Diego Rivera
- Man Ray
- David Jones
- Mark Twain
- Sarah Bernhardt
- Herman Melville
- Agatha Christie
- Erich von Stroheim
- D.W. Griffith
- George Gershwin
- Irving Berlin
- Wallace McLean
- Lawrence Lessig
Institutions
- Public Domain Review
- Ministry of Education building (Mexico City)
Locations
- United States
- European Union
- Mexico City
- Mexico