And this would cover all photos taken during the time-frame of the game.Ģ) The problem with using actual photos (even colorized ones) is that if there ISN'T an actual photo, it looks out of place to use a portrait instead. So, unless you can PROVE the actual copyright holder has expressly released an item to the public domain then it isn't in the public domain. Under US law (doesn't cover everyone, but would cover any product sold in the US) all works published before January 1st, 1923 in the US are public domain and all works published on or after that date are covered by copyright (unless expressly released to the Public Domain by the copyright holder). Click to expand.1) I wouldn't be so sure about that.