# RightsAtlas Research Packet — King Kong (1933)

> ⚠️ **NOT legal advice.** This is a primary-source research packet describing **United States** copyright status only. It is not a clearance certificate and not a DMCA counter-notification. Verify independently before any platform dispute.

**Scope:** Tier A — **film-print layer only**. Music, story, trademark, and restorations are NOT cleared by this packet.
**Packet version:** `2026-10-05-c2bade8`  ·  **Generated:** 2026-10-05  ·  **Country:** US  ·  **Last verified:** 2026-10-05

## ⚠️ Sound recordings (pre-1972)
Sound recordings fixed before **15 Feb 1972** can be protected under state law / the Music Modernization Act until **2067 or later** — the film *print* being public domain does **not** free the music track. Assume the recorded score is a claim risk.

## Film print — Not public domain
- **term_math:** RKO's 1933 film was registered and renewed; its 95-year US term runs through the end of 2028 — King Kong enters the US public domain on January 1, 2029. Until then the film is fully protected (currently controlled via Warner Bros./Turner). — [US term rules (Cornell chart)](https://guides.library.cornell.edu/copyright/publicdomain)


## Other layers — NOT cleared by this packet

| Layer | Status | Evidence on file |
|---|---|---|
| Music score | Not public domain | 1 item(s) |
| Underlying story / screenplay | Partially protected | 2 item(s) |
| Character trademarks | Not public domain | 1 item(s) |
| Restorations / re-releases | Not public domain | 1 item(s) |

## What this means
- **Watching:** Status unclear — the linked copies may not be authorized.
- **Reusing / monetizing:** One or more rights layers appears protected or restored — reusing this film commercially is risky without licensing or specific legal advice.

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_Valid as of 2026-10-05. Copyright status can change — check the live dossier before relying on this in a dispute:_ https://bitgitty.github.io/rightsatlas/film/king-kong-1933/