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

By Stephen Fishman and Stephen Fishman J.D.

Book Overview

Find free content and save on permission fees

Millions of creative works--books, artwork, photos, songs,
movies, and more--are available copyright-free in the public domain. Frozen for
decades due to lengthened copyright terms, the public domain has finally begun
to grow again as copyrights for older works expire. Since 2019, classics such
as The Great Gatsby, Sherlock Holmes, and early Alfred Hitchcock films
have all entered the U.S. public domain.

The only book that helps you find and identify which creative
works are protected by copyright and which are not, The
Public Domain covers the rules for:

- writings

- music

- art

- photography

- architecture

- maps

- choreography

- movies

- video

- software

- databases

- collections

The 10th edition is completely updated to include new public
domain resources and the latest legal changes to copyright protection of songs,
books, photos, and other creative works, as well as public domain rules outside
the U.S. It also covers when works created with artificial intelligence (AI)
are in the public domain.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1413330797
• ISBN13: 9781413330793
• Release Date: July 2023
• Publisher: NOLO
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Excellent, practical advice

I made the mistake of buying the first edition of this book (published in 2001), but found it to be an excellent guide to the legal issues involved with public domain textual material. I have already published one book which relied heavily on public domain materials, and am working on a second, and when I bought this book I had several specific questions that I was trying to answer. This book answered all of them, as well as some that I hadn't thought of! I'll probably end up buying the second edition, just to see what has changed in the last few years.

One of the most useful books I have ever encountered

This fat and informative book is a goldmine for anyone interested in public domain works, whether writings, music, art, films or just about anything else. The author, Attorney Stephen Fishman, begins with an examination of copyright laws and the public domain. After that, the book begins each of the chapters on copyrightable materials with a handy checklist for use in determining public domain status, and then launches into 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.This is one of the most useful books I have ever encountered. 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.

Another great NOLO publication!

NOLO writes legal books for the rest of us. I've used other NOLO books and gave this one a shot. I found this book to be a wonderful guide to the whole subject of public domain, from where to find it to how to use it effectively. It was also a great introduction to the history of public domain and its significance in the legal landscape of intellectual property. it's a great resourse for anyone that needs creative content for free!

An incredibly wonderful and useful book!!!!

As a writer of musical theatre, I am constantly brainstorming for new ideas and thinking about what works may be in the public domain to use. Finally there is a book that removes so much of the guess work. Stephen Fishman has written a book that is very "user friendly" and incredibly helpful. He gives all the important facts, and describes how to do your own research on copyright status (to avoid those heavy fees the goverment office charges!). It is also full of interesting sidebars, mini-charts of famous public domain works, tips, advice....everything you could ask for. I find myself just picking it up to flip through for fun....and now I practically I feel like an expert on the subject! In summary, this book is a must have!

The first and last word in finding free art and music

Highly recommended! I'm an artist and musician and I've been waiting for a book like this for years. It's like a road map that lets you figure out what stuff you can use without permission (and without having to ask a lawyer if its okay). And there is a lot of free art out there ... not just old stuff but U.S. government art, etc. It's a very sharp, well-written book with lots of interesting trivia, too.