What about copyright?

This is a summary. See also Japanese version to get a complete explanation.

In Japan,

• Normally, a composer's copyright of his work ends in 25 years from his death. So Shostakovich's all works will become public domain (PD) in 2025.
• If someone plays his work, player's copyright is born and continues for 50 years from its release.
• In case of film, the copyright continues for 70 years from its release, no matter when someone dies.
• Until 2003, instead, above clause said 50-year copyright protection. So films released until 1953 became PD until 2003 and the others will start to become PD from 2023.

Therefore, we can publish films released by 1953. But please check copyright law in your country because it is applied only in Japan.

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