Question on Shakespeare
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=752
Printed Date: 5/14/25 at 2:59pm
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Topic: Question on Shakespeare
Posted By: Guests
Subject: Question on Shakespeare
Date Posted: 2/15/02 at 4:27pm
The last topic brought this question up for me. It may be that the last post only pertained to a certain play, in which case I'm sorry for sounding silly, but I want to make sure.
I thought Shakespeare was common property because all his work is so old. Is this true? I own almost all of his works, and have planned on a future date to use one or two. I don't have to gain a release from anyone do I?
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Replies:
Posted By: Mike Polo
Date Posted: 2/15/02 at 5:58pm
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"The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" is a play not in the public domain, by Adam Long, Daniel Singer, and Jess Winfield and available through Broadway Play Publishing (and a fantastic show, a true crowd pleaser... they're still talking about it around here). The works of the Bard himself are in the public domain, however, adaptations of the text may not be... it depends on the source of the script.
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 2/16/02 at 11:12pm
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 2/18/02 at 11:13am
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Lets carry the discussion a little further - how can we tell if something is in the public domain? Things that come to mind are Spoon River Anthologies, The Wild Party, G.B. Shaw, etc. I have looked at Project Gutenberg and it LOOKS like they only include material in the public domain but they never say yes or no. I have also heard that copyrights expire 50 years after the death of the author. Is there a sure fire way to tell?
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Posted By: Mike Polo
Date Posted: 2/19/02 at 1:10am
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Sounds like a question for a copyright lawyer... anybody know any?
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 2/20/02 at 7:05pm
According to the Library of Congress, the copyright becomes public domain 75 years after the author's death UNLESS it is renewed by an estate, a new owner, etc.
But how exactly would one go about finding out if a copyright had been renewed? The Library of Congress and the Copyright office can be very helpful, but only in American Circles. Is there a British counterpart, for example?
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