What I was really trying to say is that copyright free cannot be automatically assumed just because its older than 75 years old. For instance, Peter Pan is copyrighted by the Barrie family. So you cannot just go out and do "Peter Pan" even though it's older than 75 years old.
Sometimes the heirs or estates of individuals retain copyright even after the celebrity is dead. This got Corel corporation in trouble for using an actress from the 30's on one of their products a number of years ago. The family of the dead actress sued them.
Copyright is a muddy mess in almost all countries.
ps. The holder of all the Lovecraft copyrights (Arkham House) is VERY agressive on chasing down offenders. They have shut down several internet libraries with H. P.'s stuff in it.
only the strange survive, make the familiar strange
