Post date: Jul 06, 2016 11:32:57 PM
Based on Wikimedia’s template (“This work is in the public domain in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or less”), I recommend implementing the following text in all appropriate characters’ articles (in the manner of a template):
The character {character name} is not in the public domain in its country of origin or in other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus seventy years.{Creator’s name} died in {year of death} so the character is not expected to enter the public domain in {“the UK,” “Germany and the European Union,” “Argentina” etc.} until {year of death + 71}.
For example, “The character Helen Vaughan is not in the public domain in its country of origin or in other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus seventy years. Author Arthur Machen died in 1947 so the character is not expected to enter the public domain in the United Kingdom until 2018.” (The “Helen Vaughan” article already has a sufficient note, so this is just an example.)
By specifying the year the character is expected to enter the public domain, any PDSH reader can see if the copyright has elapsed since the note was written, so there is less urgency to remove these notes later on.
I would be happy to add this note to as many characters’ articles as I can find that need it.
Thoughts?