Start with the author's dates, not the book's
For most books, the copyright clock starts when the author dies. The UK sets 70 years after death for written works, and Canada runs 70 years from the end of the calendar year of death. As of 2026-09-25.
The United States adds a second test for older books: anything published there before January 1, 1931 is in the public domain.
So the first two facts to find are the author's year of death and the year and place of first publication. With several authors, the last death counts.
Libraries and national catalogues usually give both. Where they disagree, the more recent year is the safer assumption.
Write the dates down with the project; they are the answer to the warranty every tool will ask for.
| Source | Covers | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Term | 70 years after the author's death for written works |
| Canada | Expiry | The 70 years run from the end of the calendar year of death |
| United States | Expiry | Every work published in the United States before January 1, 1931 is in the public domain |
Inclusion rule. Readings from the three registers used on this page. Order. The order the text takes them in.
1In the sources' words
Written, dramatic, musical and artistic work 70 years after the author’s death
GOV.UK, How long copyright lasts
a period of 70 years following the end of that calendar year
Justice Laws Website, Copyright Act section 6
all works published in the United States before January 1, 1931, are in the public domain.
U.S. Copyright Office, Circular 15A, Duration of Copyright
- Table70 years after the author's death for written works
- Section 6The 70 years run from the end of the calendar year of death
- Works published before 1978Every work published in the United States before January 1, 1931 is in the public domain
Filed under: United Kingdom · Canada · United States
2From book to screen, one tool's way
Once the rights in “Start with the author's dates, not the book's” are settled, SceneMixer describes the adaptation itself like this:
The cast is generated once, at the start, as full-body reference sheets. Every segment that features a character is generated against that character's sheet, with face and body crops attached as references — so the face in episode 1 is the face in episode 40.
SceneMixer, AI Short Drama Generator — “How does it keep the same actor across episodes?” (read 2026-10-13)
All four lead to a project with cast, sets, episodes and the same editor.
SceneMixer, Four Ways to Start a Project — “Do they end up in different kinds of projects?” (read 2026-10-13)