For years, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" has been praised as the quintessential American novel. It's a timeless story of the futility of trying to recreate the past and a dismantling of the ideals of wealth and high society. This literary marvel has found its way into many high school curriculums and has solidified itself as a classic since its original publication in 1925.

Now, as of January 1, 2021, "The Great Gatsby" has officially been added to the United States public domain, allowing for free use of it by the public.

If you are unaware of what the public domain entails, allow me to explain. The term "public domain" is used in reference to creative works that are not protected by exclusive intellectual property rights, such as copyrights or patents. One means by which works enter the public domain is via copyright expiration. According to the U.S. Copyright Office, for works published after January 1, 1978, copyright protection endures for the duration of the author's life, plus an added seventy years. In the case of "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald's literary estate has assumed control of its copyright for ninety-five years.

This year, the copyright has finally been lifted, and fans of the classic have already begun preparing their own adaptations and spin-offs for early 2021 release in celebration of this widely adored work. Online, you can find illustrated editions that dazzle the eyes amidst the familiar text. There are also graphic novels ready to be published that depict the story in a new fashion and breathe new life into it. Authors have even begun to write their own spin-off novels surrounding the characters we have all come to know and love, including but not limited to, "Nick" by Michael Farris Smith. Some have even sparked discussion about potential play or even musical adaptations of the story. I, for one, would love to see a "The Great Gatsby" musical with songs reminiscent in sound to those of "The Drowsy Chaperone,"

"The Great Gatsby" is a work that has inspired millions, and these new projects prove this in spades by showing just how profoundly Fitzgerald's writing has affected its readers even now and will continue to do so for many years to come now that it is in the hands of the public.

Other written works from 1925 that have entered the public domain as of 2021 include "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virginia Woolf, "In Our Time" by Ernest Hemingway, "The Trial" by Franz Kafka, and more. This copyright expiration is not limited solely to written works, either; films and music from 1925 have also entered the public domain. I recommend checking out a full list to see if any pique your interest and instill within you a creative spark much like "The Great Gatsby" has in countless others.