Is Think and Grow Rich in the Public Domain?
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Casper du Toit
- Last updated:
- September 4, 2025
The original 1937 edition of Think and Grow Rich is in the public domain in the United States and in most countries that follow the “rule of the shorter term.”
That means Napoleon Hill’s timeless classic can be freely published, adapted, recorded, or translated without needing permission or paying royalties.
But it didn’t happen by accident. A missed copyright renewal, a crucial legal deadline, and a strategic trademark move all shaped how one of the most famous self-help books of all time entered the public domain. Here’s the surprising story behind it.
A Commercial Success from the Outset
Published by The Ralston Society in 1937, with an initial print run of around 5,000 copies, “Think and Grow Rich” quickly became a major commercial success. Its powerful message of positive thinking and actionable steps resonated deeply with readers during a time of economic hardship and uncertainty.
The book’s impact has endured, continuing to influence generations of entrepreneurs and individuals seeking personal and financial growth.
Interestingly, while The Ralston Society was the publisher of the first edition, the application also mentions The Kingsport Press. This highlights a common practice in the publishing industry where the publisher (responsible for the editorial and marketing aspects) contracts a printing company (like Kingsport Press) for the physical production of the book.
The Crucial Question of Copyright Renewal
Fast forward a few decades, and the question of copyright renewal becomes central to the book’s current status.
Under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1909, which was in effect when “Think and Grow Rich” was published, a copyright lasted for an initial term of 28 years. To secure continued protection, the copyright holder had to actively apply for a renewal during the 28th year, granting an additional 28-year term.
So, for a book published in 1937, the renewal deadline would have been around 1965. As it turns out, the copyright for “Think and Grow Rich” was not renewed. This oversight, surprisingly common at the time, had significant implications for the book’s future.
Independent report on the lack of copyright renewal of this book by the law firm of Thomson CompuMark (courtesy of sacred-texts.com).
Why Was the Copyright Not Renewed?
While we can’t definitively know the exact reasons for the non-renewal, we can explore some plausible explanations based on the circumstances surrounding Napoleon Hill and the book:
Oversight or Lack of Understanding:
The process of copyright renewal in 1965 required proactive steps. It’s possible that either Napoleon Hill himself or those managing his affairs at the time were unaware of the requirement or simply overlooked it.
Royalties and Ownership:
Historical accounts suggest that Hill’s third wife, Rosa Lee Beeland (some sources list her as his fourth, depending on whether an early annulled marriage is counted), played a significant role in the authoring and editing of “Think and Grow Rich.”
They divorced in 1940, and crucially, Rosa Lee Beeland retained the royalties from the book, reportedly to protect them from potential claims by Hill’s second wife.
Given this arrangement, the incentive and responsibility for renewal might have rested with Beeland. If she had passed away or chosen not to renew, Hill, who was no longer receiving royalties, might not have taken the initiative.
Because the copyright was not renewed, “Think and Grow Rich” officially entered the public domain in the United States in 1966. This meant that the original text of the book became free for anyone to reproduce, distribute, and adapt without seeking permission or paying royalties.
The Trademark Distinction: Protecting the Brand
While the text itself is free to use, you might notice that the title “Think and Grow Rich” is often associated with the Napoleon Hill Foundation. This is because the Foundation has secured a trademark on the title. It’s essential to understand the difference between copyright and trademark:
Copyright protects original creative works (like the text of a book) for a limited time.
Trademark protects brand names, logos, and slogans used to identify and distinguish goods and services in the marketplace. Trademark rights can last indefinitely as long as the mark is in use and renewal fees are paid.
The Napoleon Hill Foundation’s trademark on “Think and Grow Rich” doesn’t give them exclusive rights to the public domain text. Anyone can publish their own edition of the original 1937 book.
However, the trademark allows the Foundation to prevent others from using the title in a way that could cause consumer confusion, suggesting their edition is officially endorsed or affiliated with the Foundation. It’s a way to protect their brand and the legacy associated with Napoleon Hill’s work.
Suggested Legal Disclaimer
In order to avoid a potential trademark conflict with the Napoleon Hill Foundation, I use the following disclaimer:
Legal Disclaimer:
This Digital Download PDF eBook edition is NOT prepared, approved, licensed, endorsed or sponsored or otherwise affiliated with Napoleon Hill; his family and heirs; the Napoleon Hill Foundation; the Ralston Society or any past or present publishers of this book.
The eBook is dedicated to the classic work, “Think And Grow Rich” written by Napoleon Hill in 1937. This electronic eBook edition, published in [year] is a reproduction of the complete 1937 version, originally published by the The Ralston Society and is now in the Public Domain.
THINK AND GROW RICH is the registered trademark and property of the Napoleon Hill Foundation. The book title “Think And Grow Rich” as used by this Digital eBook and any references used are for illustrative purposes only, without permission and are not authorized by, associated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Any reference to “Think And Grow Rich” within the text is by necessity in reference to the title of book.
The Situation in the UK and the EU
The copyright status in other countries, like the UK and those in the European Union, follows their own legal frameworks. Initially, it might seem that the UK’s copyright law, which evolved from “life of the author plus 50 years” under the Copyright Act of 1956 to “life plus 70 years” under later legislation, would have protected the book longer. Napoleon Hill died in 1970, so under the later UK law, copyright might have extended until 2040.
However, the rule of the shorter term, particularly as reintroduced in the UK in 1996, plays a crucial role. This principle, aligned with international copyright conventions, generally dictates that a country’s copyright protection for a foreign work should not exceed the protection granted in its country of origin.
Since “Think and Grow Rich” was already in the public domain in the U.S. when the UK formally re-adopted the rule of the shorter term, the UK also ceased to provide copyright protection for the original text.
EU Harmonization and the Rule of the Shorter Term
The EU Copyright Duration Directive (2006/116/EC) aimed to standardize the copyright term across the EU to life of the author plus 70 years. This was a significant step toward harmonization. However, the directive also re-established the rule of the shorter term for works from countries outside the EU.
This means that while all EU member states are bound by the “life plus 70 years” term for works originating within the EU, they are still permitted to apply the rule of the shorter term to works from non-EU countries.
The implementation of this rule is left to the national legislation of each member state. Therefore, it’s essential to check the specific laws of a particular EU country to confirm whether they apply the rule of the shorter term to a work from a non-EU country.
Conclusion: A Legacy for All
The journey of “Think and Grow Rich” through copyright law is a fascinating case study. Due to the lack of copyright renewal in the United States, this influential work entered the public domain, making its powerful principles accessible to everyone.
While the Napoleon Hill Foundation maintains a trademark on the title to protect their brand, the core message and wisdom of the original 1937 edition are now a shared cultural resource, ready to inspire and empower countless individuals across the globe to think, grow, and achieve their own version of richness.
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Casper du Toit
Casper du Toit is the founder and owner of ZeroLimits.org. He’s an entrepreneur and brand strategist with a passion for public domain books and a proud supporter of One Tree Planted.
