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Can I REALLY do anything I want with Public Domain Works?

by Charles Washington
7 replies
I was looking at PD works and found a book written in 1921. I think it is relevant even today. From what I see, there are no disclaimers that say I cant use the content.

What could I do with this content to make money? Do I rewrite it and sell it? DO I sell it as is? Can I fix it up as an affiliate product and promote it through clickbank?

Basically, can I use it - if so...HOW?

Thanks
#domain #public #works
  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    If you're sure that it is in the public domain, then you can do pretty much whatever you want with it. Sell it as is, update it, make an audio version, make a video version, turn it into lessons, etc.

    The one thing you should NOT do is claim it as your own work. You should give the original author credit. You can add content and add yourself as a co-author, editor, whatever, but you should give the original author credit. Otherwise, it's plagiarism if you take a public domain work and claim it as your own work. Maybe you won't get in legal trouble for it, but you'll certainly look bad if people find out (and they will!) that you didn't actually write the book you're selling. Also, you cannot claim a copyright on a public domain work. So, you can't treat it as PLR and put your name as the author and claim a copyright on it.

    You can claim a copyright on content you add to it, or audios or videos you create from it, and so on.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      As far as rewriting goes, whether or not you credit the original author is up to you. It really depends on how extensive your "rewriting" is. Are you just changing words here and there, or are you taking the content and rewriting it in "your own words," meaning you're explaining the original author's advice, theories, lessons, in your own style and voice. If you're just paraphrasing the original author, you probably should give credit.
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  • Profile picture of the author abundantlife085
    Originally Posted by shkad14 View Post

    What could I do with this content to make money? Do I rewrite it and sell it? DO I sell it as is? Can I fix it up as an affiliate product and promote it through clickbank?

    You can do any/all of those things. One thing I'd do is create a "quick tips guide" type of workbook that goes with it, that summarizes the information, making it easy and fast for someone to learn from it. (that is, if it's a book.)

    With images, you can create various artistic items and sell them online (think posters, t-shirts, mugs, screensavers, etc. )

    You can create audios from the material and create a physical product. You can break it up and turn it into an autoresponder series.

    Check out this wso that's all about making money with public domain materials - I've read it, it's a great product: http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ain-works.html
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  • Profile picture of the author Asher
    I've seen quite a lot of public domain works that have been reused
    as if it's their own stuff. The one which I read had co-authored or
    something like that.

    You can re-purpose it into audio or video. Or you can just use most
    of the text and insert your own words/thoughts in between.

    Asher
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    Asher Aw
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  • Profile picture of the author Charles Washington
    Thanks!

    Now, how do I make money with it? It is within the health niche.
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    • Profile picture of the author JCTunes
      Originally Posted by Charles Montgomery View Post

      Thanks!

      Now, how do I make money with it? It is within the health niche.
      If I recall something I read in one of the PD books, you could create a blog and add AdSense ads to it to generate income. You can also find a product in Clickbank or Commission Junction that would be compatible with the book you have and make the PD book a bonus to the newer product being offered.

      Best case scenario: if you make a blog containing portions of the book & adding compatible products for sale to the page [with an affiliate link, of course] and also some AdSense ads, and then drive traffic to it, you could possibly sell the blog down the line showing proof of traffic going to the site and [possibly] the income you've received from the products being offered.

      Hope this helps.
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      If there's a will, there's a way!

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  • Profile picture of the author Salespectus
    Just use the suggestions given above. Plus, go read this thread:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...ain-works.html

    Cheers
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