It was a Wonderful Life before public domain changed

The story of the movie It’s a Wonderful Life is a heartwarming one that can’t be repeated, “thanks” to changes enacted in copyright law not long after its surge in popularity.

You’ve probably heard the story: The film was a disappointment at the box office in 1946, and its copyright under the old law was allowed to expire 28 years later, in 1974. (It could have been renewed for another 28 years, but never was.) That allowed the film to enter the public domain.

Cash-strapped local TV st...