Public Domain Day 2026
Key topics
As the world counts down to Public Domain Day 2026, the conversation turns to the tantalizing prospect of shorter copyright terms and the creative explosion that could ensue. Some commenters imagine a world where fan works and derivative creations spark new careers and businesses, while others propose innovative solutions like registration fees or limited re-ups to keep copyright in check. The debate rages on, with some arguing that corporate overlords would exploit loopholes, while others envision a future where consumers own their digital purchases and creators can build upon the works of their lifetime. The discussion is a timely reminder that copyright laws shape not just the cultural landscape, but also the very notion of ownership in the digital age.
Snapshot generated from the HN discussion
Discussion Activity
Light discussionFirst comment
14m
Peak period
4
16-18h
Avg / period
2.3
Based on 14 loaded comments
Key moments
- 01Story posted
Dec 27, 2025 at 5:15 PM EST
5d ago
Step 01 - 02First comment
Dec 27, 2025 at 5:29 PM EST
14m after posting
Step 02 - 03Peak activity
4 comments in 16-18h
Hottest window of the conversation
Step 03 - 04Latest activity
Dec 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM EST
5d ago
Step 04
Generating AI Summary...
Analyzing up to 500 comments to identify key contributors and discussion patterns
Want the full context?
Jump to the original sources
Read the primary article or dive into the live Hacker News thread when you're ready.
I'm barely willing to tolerate Steam's default DRM a little. Those are 'just games' and that particular version doesn't try very hard, plus the rest of the package (network effect, servers, and a strongly customer friendly brand) combine to balance out the negatives. I'm generally hopeful that as things become classic Steam will either continue to maintain the access servers or release versions that work properly without them.
For static media, just give me a reasonable way to pay a reasonable fee for the use license and place to get an unencumbered official high fidelity copy to enjoy.
Paraphrased: 'Copyright infringement indicates a customer service failure.' At least with respect to anyone who'd have considered the purchase in the first place.
Yet another argument for copyright being far too long.
and this one for books:
https://standardebooks.org/blog/public-domain-day-2026
What will enter the public domain in 2026?
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46117112