Copyright, at least in the U.S., is automatic.
He would have to actively assert that he was releasing it into the public domain (and IIRC, although my last discussion on the topic was ~20 years ago, such a release had not yet been tested in court).
He would have to actively assert that he was releasing it into the public domain (and IIRC, although my last discussion on the topic was ~20 years ago, such a release had not yet been tested in court).
It is now, but back then a work was public domain if released without a valid copyright notice.
Charade, a 1963 film, entered the public domain immediately on release.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charade_(1963_film)#Public-dom...