| The opportunity is huge for making money with | | | | determine whether the other people involved |
| products available in the public domain which is the | | | | seem easy to talk with and open to new |
| main reason I've put together this expanded | | | | members with lots of questions. The Internet |
| section for you to learn from. | | | | community is often a wonderfully supportive place |
| Where is public domain content available? There | | | | to find people with similar interests, and most are |
| are literally millions of creative works-books, | | | | willing to share the experiences they've gained. |
| music, music scores, films, photographs, artwork, | | | | A few of the many public domain resource sites |
| images, and much more-that exist in the public | | | | available: |
| domain. But if they're so public, why are they | | | | Classic Book Library: A free online library featuring |
| hiding? | | | | literary and genre novels in the public domain, |
| The short answer is: they aren't. There are a | | | | from authors such as Jules Verne, L. M. |
| multitude of well-known works that people don't | | | | Montgomery, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. |
| realize are now considered public property. From | | | | Viewable chapter by chapter in HTML. |
| classic literature to non-fiction works on a wide | | | | Project Gutenberg: An enormous collection of |
| variety of topics; silent films, classic movies, | | | | novels, non-fiction books and other written work |
| vintage cartoons and beloved songs; even some | | | | in the public domain, all available free in |
| instantly recognizable artwork and images can be | | | | downloadable e-book format. |
| found in the public domain. | | | | RetroFilm.com: Provides a catalogue of public |
| Below you will find several methods of finding | | | | domain movies, television shows, cartoons, |
| public domain work that you can use in any way | | | | musicals, documentaries and more. The site |
| you like to start making money. | | | | serves television broadcast companies and does |
| Internet Searches | | | | not provide copies of film footage for individuals, |
| Where would we be these days without the | | | | but it is a great place to find titles which you can |
| Internet? There are literally millions of resources | | | | then track down a copy of elsewhere. |
| on the world wide web, available for anyone with | | | | Public Domain Report: The site of a monthly |
| the knowledge and patience to find them. | | | | newsletter that reveals significant works as they |
| Search engines are a good place to start. Though | | | | enter the public domain. Each issue features |
| Google remains the most popular and effective, | | | | selections and samples from a variety of |
| not every site is listed on the search titan. Try | | | | mediums-at least one new book, film, play, song, |
| running the same search on multiple engines: | | | | image, and children's work are included every |
| AltaVista, Dogpile, Yahoo, and MSN Search are | | | | month, from well-known authors, artists and |
| just a few of the many options out there. (And if | | | | creators like Dorothy Parker and George |
| you really want to start out big, you can run a | | | | Gershwin. A one-year subscription will set you |
| search for search engines first, then check each | | | | back $395, but for those who don't have the |
| one in turn.) | | | | time or inclination to do extensive research |
| Here are a few examples: | | | | themselves, it is an excellent source of fresh |
| * public domain work examples | | | | material. |
| * list of free public domain work | | | | Public Libraries |
| * free public domain books | | | | Libraries are an excellent-and free-resource for |
| * public domain web site | | | | finding public domain material. Pick a subject that |
| A note of caution: don't trust everything you read | | | | interests you and scan the shelves for older |
| on the internet. Always find out where the web | | | | books relating to the topic, or spend an afternoon |
| site owner got the information (for example, you | | | | browsing through the card catalogue. Most of the |
| can probably trust data from the Library of | | | | time, the publication date is right near the |
| Congress, but not from "my next door neighbor | | | | beginning of the listing on the card, so identifying |
| Bubba who runs a successful business out of the | | | | works published before 1923 is a simple matter. |
| trunk of his car."). Generally, if the same title | | | | Most librarians are quite knowledgeable about their |
| shows up in multiple searches, it's probably public | | | | library's collections and are happy to help you find |
| domain. | | | | exactly what you're looking for. If you're planning |
| You can also find forums, message boards and | | | | a visit to the library, it's advantageous to make up |
| e-groups dedicated to public domain news and | | | | a list of questions regarding the object of your |
| discussions. Check Internet directories or do a | | | | search and approach the librarian before you do |
| search for "public domain forum" (also: substitute | | | | anything else, particularly if you are going to a |
| group, list, board, news, or community for | | | | small local library. Larger state-run library and |
| "forum") and you'll discover more information than | | | | university library staff members may not have |
| you will need. Be sure to visit groups, lists and | | | | the time or resources to devote personal |
| forums before joining-read through some of the | | | | attention to every patron. |
| posted messages and member profiles to | | | | |