2020 in public domain

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

With the exception of Belarus and Spain, 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 for authors who worked during World War II in the Soviet Union. The list is sorted alphabetically and includes a notable work of the creator that entered the public domain on January 1, 2020.

Names

Country

Death

Occupation

Notable work

James Truslow Adams

United States

Countries with life + 60 years

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

Names

Country

Death

Occupation

Notable work

Santiago Key Ayala

Venezuela

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, Egypt and Uruguay; a work enters the public domain at the end of the calendar year following 50 years after the creator's death.

Names

Country

Death

Occupation

Notable work

Alejandro G. Abadilla

Philippines

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.
Unpublished works by authors who died in 1949 entered the public domain on 1 January 2020. Any published literary, artistic, dramatic, or musical work by a not generally known author from 1949 also entered the public domain on that date.

Entering the public domain in the United States

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

In general, works published in 1924. 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.
Unpublished works whose authors died in 1949.

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

Worldwide

In October 2020, satirical singer/songwriter Tom Lehrer announced the release of all of his lyrics and music to the public domain.
On February 28, 2020, Sketchfab released 1.7 thousand 3D models of cultural artefacts into the public domain.
On February 27, 2020, the Smithsonian Institution announced it will release 2.6 million images into the public domain.
On January 14, 2020, Paris Musées released 100,000 images of artworks in the public domain.