Public Domain, The: How to Find & Use Copyright-Free Writings, Music, Art & More

By Stephen Fishman

Need content? Find public domain works free for the taking!

Even though you've always been told otherwise, writers and artists can copy other people’s work and get away with it. Enter the world of the public domain, where everything is free for the taking, and the only secret to unlocking this treasure trove is knowing how to recognize free content and where to find it.

With The Public Domain, you'll get specific information about finding copyright free writings, music, art, photography, software, maps, databases, videos, and more. Find out about:

• how to find public domain materials
• how to handle challenges to public domain claims
• public domain "gray areas"
• copyright protections and expirations
• use of public domain art or film for advertising or other commercial purposes
• web content in the public domain
• how to research copyright office records
• how to get permission to use work not in the public domain

This edition of The Public Domain is completely updated with new case law, and new developments in the world of international copyright. The book also provides hundreds of resources to help you find public domain works.

• Language: English
• Publisher: NOLO
• Release date: May 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781413320299

Stephen Fishman

Stephen Fishman is the author of many Nolo books, including Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes, Every Landlord's Tax Deduction Guide and Home Business Tax Deductions: Keep What You Earn—plus many other legal and business books. He received his law degree from the University of Southern California and after time in government and private practice, became a full-time legal writer.

Reviews for Public Domain, The

[reverends_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Those looking for quick lists of public domain resources meant for casual perusal and quick consumption will be in for a pleasant surprise. This is not just a guide on where to find public domain materials such as music, photos, and literary works. You will find that information within, but you will find much, much more besides.Stephen Fishman, an experience attorney in both government and private practice since 1979, provides all of the legal information that many readers might never have known they needed. Fishman goes into great detail about the history of public domain materials, the legalities of usage and ownership regarding such works, the loopholes to look for, and the pitfalls to avoid.Other books from Nolo have successfully endeavored to communicate legal information to its readers in clear, simple language. The Public Domain achieves this goal as well, and will undoubtedly act as an indispensable reference to anyone seeking out legally obtainable works in the public domain.