2018 in public domain


When a work's copyright expires, it enters the public domain. The following is a list of works that entered the public domain in 2018. Since laws vary globally, the copyright status of some works are not uniform.

Entering the public domain in countries with life + 70 years

With the exception of Belarus and Spain, a work enters the public domain in Europe 70 years after the creator's death, if it was published during the creator's lifetime. The list is sorted alphabetically and includes a notable work of the creator that entered the public domain on January 1, 2018. For previously unpublished material, those who publish it first will have the publication rights for 25 years.
NamesCountryDeathOccupationNotable work
James AgateUnited Kingdom

Entering the public domain in countries with life + 50 years

In most countries of Africa and Asia, as well as Belarus, Bolivia, Canada, New Zealand and Uruguay; a work enters the public domain 50 years after the creator's death.
NamesCountryDeathOccupationNotable work
J. R. AckerleyUnited Kingdom

Entering the public domain in 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. 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.

Entering the public domain in the United States

Under the Copyright Term Extension Act, 2018 was the last year that no published works would enter the public domain in this jurisdiction. Only unpublished works whose authors died in 1947 entered the public domain.
On January 26, 2018, Ludlow Music, the music publisher for "We Shall Overcome", agreed in a legal settlement that the song is in the public domain.

Worldwide

On February 27, 2018, the video game One Hour One Life was released into the public domain.