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

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 with this easy-to-read guide. Find out about:

. how to find public domain materials
. how to determine whether materials are valuable
. 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 crisper, fresher and completely updated with new case law, and includes new developments in the world of international copyright. The book also provides hundreds of resources to help you find public-domain works.

Stephen Fishman is the author of many Nolo books, most recently Tax Deductions for Professionals. Other titles include Deduct It! Lower Your Small Business Taxes, Every Landlord's Tax Deduction Guide and Home Business Tax Deductions — plus many other legal and business books. He received his law degree from the University of Southern California. After time in government and private practice, he became a full-time legal writer.