Public Domain, The: How to Find and Use Copyright Free Writings, Music, Art & More,   ISBN:9781413308587

Customer Rating: 

I teach a number of different courses and know that I am entitled to use some information under fair use. But where does this this right start and stop? This book gives a very good description of this complex law. This large and very informative book has a great deal of information for anyone interested in public domain works, whether writings, music, art, films or just about anything else. The author begins with an examination of copyright laws and the public domain. THe book then starts each of the chapters on copyrightable materials with handy checklists for use in determining public domain status. This continues with a discussion of how to determine the public domain status of such an item. After those useful chapters, the author examines the use of copyrighted and public domain works.

The book is very useful. It contains most everything you need to know in determining the public domain status of a work, and it is organized in a simple, easy-to-use format (ala the ___ for Dummies books), that is sure to inform the reader, and never lose him or her. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in whether or not something is in the public domain, and thus open to free use.

Customer Rating: 

Dealing with public domain and copyright presents a thorny dilemma for writers and entrepreneurs. Nobody wants to be sued, or exploited, or miss out on the unprecedented opportunities.

If you want to know what works are in the public domain (ie copyright expired) there are 4 rules in this book. Here are two:

Rule 1: Everything published in the USA before 1923 is in the public domain.

Rule 2: Works initially published in the USA between 1923-1963 and not renewed are in the public domain.

So, whether you want to publish a classic poem on your website, or republish a classic book, or use a picture of a famous painting, or even a piece of music, you need to know the rules.

As you can imagine, the whole thing can get quite involved. That's why you need the book, as post 1923 material is more complicated.

If you want to get free material you can use this book as a great resource. I have downloaded a number of classic works for free. As you may know, a provider who sounds like my buddy Dougal has made many books available, and all books pre 1923 should be available at some point.

I hope you find this review helpful..

Customer Rating: 

I was expecting a book with numerous web links to public domain sites. Instead the book just talks about what public domain is, the legal laws around it, and other useless public domain information. There are very little public domain web sites mentioned in the book. Save your money.

Customer Rating: 

This is really a volume that is not designed to be read through, but to be referred to. Taken as such, it is a valuable resource for any number of fields, particularly in regards to visual or intellectual property.

Unfortunately, the one area in which is falls short is the one in which I would find most useful, and that is recorded music. In truth, this is not the fault of the book - it is because the vast majority of recorded music does not fall under the category of Public Domain yet, and won't for awhile. Regardless, there is some useful information about using printed and scored music.

This would be most useful on the shelf of any type of self-publisher. A quick check thumbing through its pages may save you some grief later. A caveat, though - I am no lawyer, and I can't make any strong claims as to the validity of the book's claims. Still, it seems like a good place to start.

Customer Rating: 

I was actually hope that this book would reference more sources for public domain writings and information. Instead it was a good refresher on the legal aspects of using public domain/copyright free material, once you have found it. It still doesn't substitute for a good attorney, but it would give the general audience an overview.