Book People Archive

Looks like 1922 works will enter the public domain in the US

I can't claim to be an expert on the workings of Congress, but it
*appears*, based on recent news stories, that Congress has now adjourned
for the holidays (except for some committees with extra work), and that
the House Judiciary Committee has also adjourned without holding hearings
on the copyright extension bill.  (Their short-term schedule appears to be
empty, at least.)

What this means is that, most likely, 1997 will end before further action 
is taken on the bill.  And that means that 1922's copyrights should expire
on schedule as the new year rings in, and there should be a new batch of books
that can go on-line at that point.

My thanks to everyone who helped discourage Congress from trying to rush
this bill through.  Hearings are likely to take place not long after Congress
re-convenes in January.  So if you have thoughts on the bill that you want
Congress to hear, you have time to send them via normal postal mail.
(Regular letters seem to count for more than email does.)

I already know of a few 1922 works that have been transcribed electronically
(but not yet published) in anticipation of their entering the public domain.
I've noted the ones I know about in the "in progress" list on the On-Line Books
Page, and will list them in the main database in January once I know where
to find them.  (I might not list them right on January 1, since I'll
be visiting family then, but I'll try to get to them when I come back.)
If you're working on any others that I don't know about, and want to
let folks know about it so that work isn't duplicated, let me know and
I'll record what you're working on in the in-progress list.

Thanks!

John
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