Original Sherlock Holmes now in Public Domain

According to Judge Posner of the Seventh Circuit, the Sherlock Holmes stories were written more than 75 years ago between 1887 and 1922. The copyright term on the stories actually expired in 1998 but that was about the same time that copyright terms for older works was extended from the customary 75 years to 95 years. FOr 10 of the stories which were written between 1923 and 1927, the copyright remains in place for 95 years from the date of their publication. According to the Seventh Circuit Courts individuals may now publish works that use the HOlmes character whic appeared in the stories prior to 1923. However, they may not use traits of Holmes' character or elements of his life that appear in the stories which were published between '23 and '27. An example includes in the later stories Holmes's veiw of dogs changes and he likes them. He has also been married two times in the later stories. These elements remain restricted from use since they were used in later stories which are still protected by copyright.