How long does a book have to be out of print before it is in public domain?

[Janie]

Or can it ever be in public domain for private printing?

Thanks!

[Carmen_and_Company]

The answer varies depending on publishing date. The linked page may answer your question, though. http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/okbooks.html#whatpd

[klmama]

Here's what I found. It's a univeristy site, so it's probably correct, but I'm sure you'd want to research further to verify.

http://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/okbooks.html#whatpd

[In The Great White North]

It's anything but simple.

http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/

[Janie]

1923 through 1963 Published with notice but copyright was not renewed8 (http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/#Footnote_8) In the public domain