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

This is one of the most useful books I have ever encountered. It contains most everything you need to know in determining the public domain status of a work, and it is organized in a simple, easy-to-use format (ala the ___ for Dummies books), that is sure to inform the reader, and never lose him or her. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in whether or not something is in the public domain, and thus open to free use.


Another great NOLO publication!   August 9, 2002
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

NOLO writes legal books for the rest of us. I've used other NOLO books and gave this one a shot. I found this book to be a wonderful guide to the whole subject of public domain, from where to find it to how to use it effectively. It was also a great introduction to the history of public domain and its significance in the legal landscape of intellectual property. it's a great resourse for anyone that needs creative content for free!


An incredibly wonderful and useful book!!!!   March 22, 2002
AREALTHRILLER (New York, NY United States)
17 out of 18 found this review helpful

As a writer of musical theatre, I am constantly brainstorming for new ideas and thinking about what works may be in the public domain to use. Finally there is a book that removes so much of the guess work. Stephen Fishman has written a book that is very "user friendly" and incredibly helpful. He gives all the important facts, and describes how to do your own research on copyright status (to avoid those heavy fees the goverment office charges!). It is also full of interesting sidebars, mini-charts of famous public domain works, tips, advice....everything you could ask for. I find myself just picking it up to flip through for fun....and now I practically I feel like an expert on the subject! In summary, this book is a must have!


Excellent, practical advice   July 22, 2004
Thomas Reiter (Washington DC, DC United States)
18 out of 20 found this review helpful

I made the mistake of buying the first edition of this book (published in 2001), but found it to be an excellent guide to the legal issues involved with public domain textual material. I have already published one book which relied heavily on public domain materials, and am working on a second, and when I bought this book I had several specific questions that I was trying to answer. This book answered all of them, as well as some that I hadn't thought of! I'll probably end up buying the second edition, just to see what has changed in the last few years.