In short
- BlackSlate tells you what the records say and which rule produced each date. It does not give legal advice.
- Before you spend money on a property, a clearance lawyer still signs it off. We make that conversation shorter.
The summary is for convenience; the full text below is what applies.
Public domain dates and rights status
Public domain dates are calculated from the information available about a work, such as its author's death year and first publication, under each territory's standard rules. Copyright can depend on facts we do not have: unpublished material, translations, later editions, restored foreign copyrights, contracts and trademarks. A date in BlackSlate is a starting point for clearance, not a conclusion.
Not verified means not verified
Where nobody has checked the US renewal records for a work, the record says Not verified. That means neither free nor protected has been confirmed. We do not round it in either direction.
Scores, forecasts and AI output
Clearance, brand risk and access scores, commercial and narrative scores, trend forecasts and casting suggestions are research tools. Some are produced with AI and may be inaccurate or incomplete. Check them before relying on them.
Incentives and market information
Production incentive rules, commissioning priorities and industry news change often. Confirm current terms with the relevant film commission, broadcaster or adviser before you budget or pitch against them.
No professional relationship
Using BlackSlate does not create a lawyer-client or other professional relationship. Take advice from a qualified lawyer in each territory concerned before you option, adapt, finance or exploit any work.