Public domain - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 11-12-2013, 04:39 AM

when shows are "in public domain" what exactly does that mean? And why are some episodes of a series "in public domain" but other episodes of the same series aren't?

Zoneboy · 11-12-2013, 11:38 AM

Public domain is when the intellectual property rights have expired or the owner failed to renew them. This is why you see the same 16 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show being packaged and repackaged into different looking sets each year along with the same 50 or so episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies.

bencasey · 11-14-2013, 05:28 PM

Try doing a google search on copyright law.

Mace Dolex · 11-14-2013, 06:45 PM

I never knew what "public domain" meant until a few years ago researching the Three Stooges and always wondered why the same 4 shorts of their were always on bargain DVD's.

The same with the Fleisher Superman cartoons, they're in PD which is why you always see countless bargain releases on DVD in various cheap quality.

11-12-2013, 04:39 AM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	Public domain when shows are "in public domain" what exactly does that mean? And why are some episodes of a series "in public domain" but other episodes of the same series aren't?
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

11-12-2013, 11:38 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,344	Public domain is when the intellectual property rights have expired or the owner failed to renew them. This is why you see the same 16 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show being packaged and repackaged into different looking sets each year along with the same 50 or so episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

11-14-2013, 05:28 PM	#3
bencasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: Long Beach Posts: 1,692	Try doing a google search on copyright law.

11-14-2013, 06:45 PM	#4
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,666	I never knew what "public domain" meant until a few years ago researching the Three Stooges and always wondered why the same 4 shorts of their were always on bargain DVD's. The same with the Fleisher Superman cartoons, they're in PD which is why you always see countless bargain releases on DVD in various cheap quality.