Public Domain Day 2024
Today is Public Domain Day! This legal transition of copyright works into the public domain usually happens every year on January 1 based on the individual copyright laws of each country and, in Australia, one of the important works entering the public domain is this wonderful photo of The Cazneaux Tree.
The Cazneaux Tree, captured by photographer Harold Cazneauc, was taken in 1937.
It is one of his most famous images and it is a stunning image of a solitary river red gum tree, near Wilpena Pound in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia. The title he gave to the photograph was "The Spirit of Endurance", for the qualities he felt were epitomised the tree's survival in a harsh environment.
The tree still stands and is a notable landmark within the Flinders Ranges National Park, it appears on the National Trust of South Australia's Register of Significant Trees.
What has been added to the public domain in 2024?
Internationally, this year features an addition to the public domain of the history of animated film: Steamboat Willie, the first published animated short featuring the character of Mickey Mouse.
Whilst closer to home, The National Library of Australia also has a blog post of notable Australian works to enter the public domain in 2024. The National Library collection items in the public domain this year include unpublished works by authors who died in 1953, orphan works (i.e. works with no known author) created in 1953, and government publications created in 1973.
For more information about Harold, and this amazing tree see Wikipedia.