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If You Use Public Domain Content, maybe you know the answer...

by Kim Phoenix
14 replies
Hi,
I have been poring through public domain informational websites trying to learn as much as I can. I want to use some quotes/proverbs in something I'm making, but do not want to infringe on any copyrights or trademarks. Where is the best place to find quotes that fall within the public domain? Any other advice? Thanks very much in advance.
#answer #content #domain #public
  • Profile picture of the author LynnM
    Hi Kim,
    There are a number of "quotes" books at Gutenberg.org - a few are collections made up from the works of authors such as Mark Twain.
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    • Profile picture of the author JMB Marketing Group
      Originally Posted by LynnM View Post

      Hi Kim,
      There are a number of "quotes" books at Gutenberg.org - a few are collections made up from the works of authors such as Mark Twain.
      It's amazing, but most people think that what they find on Gutenberg's site is free for the taking. IT IS NOT!

      Some is, but MOST is not!

      Ya, ya, ya, I know .... You've all been told to go to Gutenberg's site to copy and paste FREE public domain information to make it YOUR OWN!

      HELLO! Sorry to say, BUT:

      You need to READ the fine print to know what you can copy and paste what you can't!

      Therefore, I felt that it was my duty to direct you the correct source which leads you to this page:


      Here is Gutenberg's License:

      http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Gutenb...28normative.29


      Therefore, with that said, I suggest that you stay CLEAR away from any content that you find on Gutenberg's website (unless you understand the the terms of usage) AS WELL AS Google's!

      No, I'm Not A Lawyer. However, you may want to confirm my opinion before you ACT on what YOU chose to do with Gutenberg's or Google's "Free" documents!

      The Careful & Informed Warrior!

      JMB

      P.S. My Motto is: When in DOUBT, then stay apart (meaning, don't take any action)!
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  • Profile picture of the author Warrior X
    --Anything published before 1923 is automatically in the public domain and
    completely fair game.

    --Any quotations from public figures is fair game. For example, I can take
    something this or that politician said, slap it on a tee-shirt and sell it (not
    that anyone would wanna buy it

    --If it's going to be something you sell on a smaller scale, I don't think it's
    something to be too worried about. (I doubt if all the ebooks I've seen with
    Steve Jobs quotes asked for his permission beforehand)

    Jeremy
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    • Profile picture of the author Kim Phoenix
      Because of the 1923 rule, then does that mean if I take something that Benjamin Franklin, for example, said that I can use his quote and quote him, because that would be in the public domain?
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      • Profile picture of the author WendyWoudstra
        Originally Posted by Kim Phoenix View Post

        Because of the 1923 rule, then does that mean if I take something that Benjamin Franklin, for example, said that I can use his quote and quote him, because that would be in the public domain?
        That's exactly right.
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      • Profile picture of the author ronaldmd
        Originally Posted by WendyWoudstra View Post

        Originally Posted by Kim Phoenix View Post

        Because of the 1923 rule, then does that mean if I take something that Benjamin Franklin, for example, said that I can use his quote and quote him, because that would be in the public domain?
        That's exactly right.
        I don't really understand this statement.:confused::confused::confused:
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      • Profile picture of the author Warrior X
        Originally Posted by Kim Phoenix View Post

        Because of the 1923 rule, then does that mean if I take something that Benjamin Franklin, for example, said that I can use his quote and quote him, because that would be in the public domain?
        Originally Posted by WendyWoudstra View Post

        That's exactly right.
        Yes, that's right. For example, when Barnes & Nobles republishes a Ben Franklink book, or Mark Twain or anything before 1923, they don't have to pay for the rights or get any permission to do that.
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  • Profile picture of the author WebPen
    I'm like 99% sure that you won't get in trouble for having a quote on your site.

    It can be from the President, Apple, WHATEVER- just give credit where credit is due.

    If it's a Trademarked phrase, give credit and I highly doubt you'll get in trouble.

    Don't overthink this one!
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  • Profile picture of the author Teenage Genius
    There is no law against quoting somebody as long as you give credit.

    When you go as far as to "quote an entire chapter" then you can get in trouble, but for a sentence or two you should be find - just remember to give credit.

    Also,

    Regarding the 1923 rule - yes it is true - however, remember some people MAY have renewed the copywrite.

    and

    Remember: if somebody for example took a public domain work such as "Think and Grow Rich" - and then proceeded to add their own thoughts and commentries and compile it into a new book; the new work is now copywrited and no longer public domain - although the original Think and Grow Rich is public domain.


    Regards,
    TG
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    • Profile picture of the author davidtong
      Originally Posted by Teenage Genius View Post

      Regarding the 1923 rule - yes it is true - however, remember some people MAY have renewed the copywrite.
      Just to clarify, they can only copyright the PARTS THEY MODIFIED... The original text cannot be claimed by anyone.

      From wiki:

      Public domain and derivative works

      Derivative works include translations, musical arrangements, and dramatizations of a work, as well as other forms of transformation or adaptation.[14]

      Copyrighted works may not be used for derivative works without permission from the copyright owner,[15] while public domain works can be freely used for derivative works without permission.[16][17] Artworks that are public domain may also be reproduced photographically or artistically or used as the basis of new, interpretive works.[18]

      Once works enter into the public domain, derivative works such as adaptations in book and film may increase noticeably, as happened with Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel The Secret Garden, which became public domain in 1987.[19]

      As of 1999, the plays of Shakespeare, all public domain, had been used in more than 420 feature-length films.[20] In addition to straightforward adaptation, they have been used as the launching point for transformative retellings such as Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead and Troma Entertainment's Tromeo and Juliet.[21][22][23]

      Marcel Duchamp's L.H.O.O.Q. is a derivative of Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, one of thousands of derivative works based on the public domain painting.[16]
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  • Profile picture of the author cashcow
    Here's a great resource for public domain and the various rules for using it:

    Public Domain Treasure Hunter Guide With Debra Conrad

    Lee
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    • Profile picture of the author CC
      Thanks Lee, I was about to tell her about Debra....You can't go wrong with her guide.

      Constance
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  • Profile picture of the author angela99
    Originally Posted by Kim Phoenix View Post

    Hi,
    I have been poring through public domain informational websites trying to learn as much as I can. I want to use some quotes/proverbs in something I'm making, but do not want to infringe on any copyrights or trademarks. Where is the best place to find quotes that fall within the public domain? Any other advice? Thanks very much in advance.
    Short answer: you can quote anyone you like, anytime you like, as long as you give attribution.

    Viz: "Steve Jobs was reported stating in _______ (magazine/ book/ website/ wherever) in _____ (year), "________________" (quote.)

    Just make it a SHORT quote. If you go over five sentences, ask permission.

    You can get permission to quote from publishers. Just address a letter to "The Permissions Department."

    Re public domain, that's different. If you're using huge amounts of material that may/ could be in the public domain, make sure it is.

    Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine will tell you whether something is "believed to be in the public domain", so that's a fast way of checking.

    Angela
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