AI-Generated Summary:

• Public Domain Day 2026: On January 1, 2026, works from 1930 and sound recordings from 1925 enter the US public domain, making them freely available for use, sharing, and adaptation. Notable entries include literature like As I Lay Dying and The Maltese Falcon, characters like Betty Boop and Pluto, and films like All Quiet on the Western Front.
• Cultural and Artistic Impact: The public domain fosters creativity by allowing new works to draw from older ones, as seen in titles like Cakes and Ale, which references Shakespeare. Classic cartoons and films from 1930 reflect diverse styles, from Disney’s wholesome charm to Fleischer Studios’ surreal, edgy aesthetics.
• Legal and Historical Context: The article clarifies that only the original 1930 versions of characters enter the public domain, while later adaptations remain copyrighted. It also highlights pre-Code Hollywood’s bold content, contrasting it with later censorship under the Hays Code.

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