Clifford

image of a book cover with a black background, the title in the upper left corner reads Clifford the Big Red Dog, in the lower right corner in small it reads Story and pictures by Norman Bridwel in between them is a drawing of a red colored dog who is very large as seen by the small girl drawn on his backk hugging him

Clifford is a big red dog who belongs to Emily and causes mischief but is ultimately a good dog.

While Clifford the Big Red Dog was registered for copyright in 1963 upon its publication it was not renewed in 1991 therefore the first book and only the first book is public domain.

Notes

  • Clifford the Big Red Dog is still a registered trademark owned by The Norman Bridwell Massachusetts Marital Trust.

Links

Pink Panther

 redish background,, pictured is a cartoon character who is an anthropomorphic panther who is pink with lighter features on the muzzle and belly. He has yellow eyes and small ears and long white whiskers. he is holding a film reel strip

The Pink Panther as many likely know is a creation from the 1963 film The Pink Panther which is primarily about a jewel with that name. The Pink Panther was created for promotional material, the trailer and the opening.

He first appeared in the trailer for the film, pictured above which did not have a copyright notice making it public domain. The film itself obviously isn’t but it creates the situation of the Pink Panther, the cartoon panther being public domain.

Notes

Pink Panther is a registered trademark so keep that in mind and any later appearances obviously aren’t public domain.

Links

Fin Fang Foom

 Image of an orange dragon ripping apart a vehicle with people shooting at it with the name Fin Fang Foom above it in big letters
Fin Fang Foom as they appear in Strange Tales #89 (1961)

Fin Fang Foom is an ancient dragon being that can shapeshift that is awakened to attack the Communist Party thanks to some herbs by Chan Liuchow when his homeland of Taiwan is under threat.

Strange Tales #89 was not renewed 28 years after publication as was standard at the time so copyright would’ve expired in 1989.

: image of copyright renewal listings for various issues of Strange Tales but it jumps from number 84 to 100 omitting several ones in the renewal process

They specifically did not renew issues 85 to 99 so those are all public domain now.

Notes

  • Marvel used to own the trademark for Fin Fang Foom but it has since lapsed as seen here

Links