Public Domain Blog

Court finds use of 15-second clip of John Lennon's "Imagine" to be within scope of fair use doctine.

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:56:52 GMT

The US District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled against Yoko Ono Lennon in her quest to stop the showing and distribution of Expelled. The Court held that the movies producers are likely to prevail on their fair use defense. So there you have it. Fair use is alive and well ... just be sure you understand it before you use someone elses work without permission. Read the Courts opinion to see how it applied the fair use factors.

Copyright renewal - when it had to happen, or else

Fri, 23 May 2008 17:42:14 GMT

Yoko Ono Lennon and EMI Records sue movie producers for using 15-second clip of John Lennon's "Imagine."

Wed, 21 May 2008 19:38:26 GMT

Stanfords Fair Use Project will defend the producers of the film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The issue at the heart of these lawsuits is fair use. No matter what you or I think, or Yoko Ono thinks, of the films premise (that those who believe in intelligent design are being silenced in academia) the filmmakers critique of Lennons lyrics in support of their argument is pretty darn straightforward fair use. Ono, as an artist, should get that. Even if it pisses her off.

Source: Stanford Fair Use Project by way of ollectanea.

Find public domain books online

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:48:12 GMT

Where can you find public domain books? Here's a list to get you started.

Picture search tips for finding free-to-use images

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:48:06 GMT

Doing a picture search? Here's a handful of tools to help you find images you can freely use and share.

What is fair use and why should you care?

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:14:07 GMT

A work doesn't have to be in the public domain for you to use it without asking permission. Stand up for your fair use rights.

Don't fall for false copyright claims

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 20:54:08 GMT

Learn to recognize false copyright claims. Reclaim the public domain and defend fair use.

10 public domain misconceptions

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 20:51:00 GMT

What do you believe about the public domain? Here are 10 common misconceptions.

Cease and desist letter tips

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 14:33:00 GMT

You just got a cease and desist letter accusing you of copyright infringement. Here are some quick tips for you.

Public domain recordings

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:15:54 GMT

Here's a selection of sites where you can get public domain recordings.

About public domain sound recordings

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:10:28 GMT

If you're looking for public domain sound recordings, here are some things you should know.

UK rejects music copyright extension

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:40:30 GMT

Although the music industry lobbied hard, the British Government has decided not to extend the copyright duration for sound recordings. The copyright term for British sound recordings is still 50 years from date of publication. This is a welcome development and a victory for common sense, IMHO. Most musicians have contracts requiring them to pass royalties back to their record labels ... and if they happen to be the song's composer, they've got a life + 70 copyright term on the music itself, anyway.

News source: Reuters by way of /..

Optimal copyright term decided by math

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:41:48 GMT

Turns out the founders of the United States had it right: copyright terms should last for 14 years. As reported by Ars Technica, Cambridge University PhD candidate Rufus Pollock has determined mathematically that the "optimal level of copyright" is 14 years. Apparently a 14 year term would "encourage the best balance of incentive to create new work and social welfare that comes from having work enter the public domain (where it often inspires new creative acts)." Mr. Pollock's calculations are available online (PDF).

Was that book's copyright renewed?

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:36:10 GMT

Throughout this site I tell you what you need to know to determine whether a work is in the US public domain. (Here, for example.) Alas, I can't always tell you where to find the info you need, and sometimes it can be damn near impossible to find it. But here's some good news if you want to find out whether the copyright in a book published between 1923 and 1963 was renewed, as the law during that time required. Stanford University has created a searchable Copyright Renewal Database. It covers renewal registrations received by the US Copyright Office between 1950 and 1992 (for books only). Give it a whirl.

Via Collectanea.

Free sheet music resources

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 18:57:05 GMT

Here's a list of free sheet music sites - and an explanation of what free actually means in each case.

That Bach piece you've got there - is it really public domain music?

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 18:40:36 GMT

Arrangements? Compilations? New editions? This article outlines how to avoid problems when using public domain music.

Is it public domain sheet music or is it copyrighted?

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 18:36:36 GMT

Some pieces you think are in the public domain aren't, and some publishers falsely claim copyright in public domain sheet music. Here's the scoop.

The maps have been liberated!

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 19:19:58 GMT

US Geological Survey (USGS) maps are in the public domain because they're created by the federal government. But the USGS asks lots of money for its highly detailed topographical maps ... making them, well, not so available. Jared Benedict didn't like this state of affairs so he bought the maps and promised to set them free — as long as a $1600 ransom was paid to cover his costs. In less than 24 hours, it was. Over 56,000 public domain maps will soon be available, for free, through the Internet Archive. Woot!

Via TeleRead.

Download classic books for free at Google

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:42:19 GMT

Google announced this week that you can now download full copies of out-of-copyright books (in PDF format). From the Official Google Blog: "You're free to choose from a diverse collection of public domain titles -- from well-known classics to obscure gems." What a great service this is ... and definitely worth checking out.

Is there any difference between a royalty free photo and a copyright free photo?

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 14:12:54 GMT

Royalty free and copyright free don't mean the same thing, although the terms are often (mis)used interchangeably. Here's a quick explanation and a list of royalty free photo sites. I've even checked out their license terms and conditions for you.

Your photo of Elvis is in the public domain -- so can you use it any way you want?

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 13:50:54 GMT

If your photo of Elvis (or anyone else) is in the public domain you're in the clear, in terms of copyright ... but there are other rights to consider if you're planning to use the work commercially.

Why should you care if the work is in the public domain or not?

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 17:09:53 GMT

There's nothing like a copyright infringement definition to show you why you should be sure of a work's public domain status before you go off and use it, eh?

Picture search tips

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 15:43:31 GMT

Before you begin a picture search online, consider the cost in terms of time and money. For example, stock photo houses are a quick way to get public domain photos, but you'll have to pay for them. There are times when paying a fee might beat spending more time searching. But when you have time to search ... here's a short list of picture search engines, and some tips for using them. You may end up deciding to pay for use of a specific image, anyway but it can't hurt to see what's out there for free, right?

More ...

Finding and using public domain photographs

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 15:04:41 GMT

Looking for high-quality public domain photographs? Here's a list of resources to get you started. For each resource listed, I tell you what you'll find and give you tips for using the photos. What kind of tips, you might ask, if the photos are public domain? Aren't they free of all use restrictions? Here's the deal ...

Some of these resources have a mix of public domain and copyrighted photos. I'll tell you when they do. Also, some of the owners of the physical photos (which, yes, are in the public domain) have placed use restrictions on copies. You need to know that, too. But who wants to read all those boring terms and conditions? I do. And I did, so I can tell you what they are.

Protected by copyright, or public domain? This tutorial shows you how to find out.

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 13:52:21 GMT

How can you tell a work is in the public domain? There's no list you can consult. If you want to be sure you can use someone else's creative work freely (no permission, no fees or royalties, no need to argue that your use is fair use) ... you've got to know something about copyright law. That's why this tutorial is here.

Using copyrighted works without permission

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 18:07:52 GMT

In the US, fair use is an important limitation on the exclusive rights of copyright owners. How does it work, and why should you care? Find out.

Is it in the public domain? Use the copyright term calculator and find out.

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 21:51:26 GMT

Want to know if a particular work is in the public domain or, if it isn't, when it will be? The copyright term calculator is standing by, ready to help. Give it a try!

Copyright duration in the United States

Fri, 03 Mar 2006 23:48:13 GMT

How long do US copyrights last? The copyright duration diagram can help you answer the question.