I once saw a video back in the 90s about the history of the public domain and the new copyright laws of today. I was wondering if anyone might either know the name of that video or any other videos that goes over the social effects of longer copyright laws.

How do you know when a book or lecture that you've found on the internet is in the public domain? Even if it's copyrighted, is it OK to print a copy for your personal use? Also, what is the educational exception to copyright law? I understand that if you're a teacher, there are times when you can use copyrighted material for educational purposes only. How do you know when you can do this? Thanks!

I have been searching the web for items that are now public domain. Is there any way to aquire these items & file a new copyright under my name?

I need to find pictures of Banff National Park (in Alberta, Canada) that are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN (no copyright whatsoever). These pictures may be used in a logo for a medical conference. I am having great difficulty finding any more than 3 online. Can anyone help me? Thank you in advance!

Example: Nostradamus Prophecies translated from french to english--are they copyrighted to whoever translated them, if the person published the translation in a copyrighted work? I assume that the interpretation of the prophecy and other details would be what is under copyright. At the same time, I would guess that a translation of something in the public domain would not belong to any specific person. Anything that contradicts this? Any help is appreciated.

Once something has entered the public domain, is it off limits to copyrights forever, or can someone put another copyright on it, and own it?

I recently bought a cd-rom of a work that has become public domain. The creator has taken the public domain work and scanned the pages, creating PDF files. He claims the work is copyrighted and can't be used without his permission. I am wondering is this possible? It's the same work he has just changed the medium.

I already know stories and poems have to be published before 1923 to be considered public domain. Do speeches follow this rule as well? What about quotes and songs?

I'm looking for great gardening quotes but then I have to look up each author to verify whether their works are copyright-free and now part of the public domain (or upon their death, someone else picked up the copyrights, etc.). Am looking up common quotations, gardening and nature quotations, etc. Any suggestions on how I might find this type of stuff faster or easier?

The contents is clearly marked public domain and free to use. I would like to publish it as hard copy and include further original content along with it. Can I copyright the resulting book? Is there some ratio of original content to public domain content that must be met before it can be copyrighted?

I create classes in face color diagnosis and need images of people to work with. I would like help in finding resources for this.

I noticed that some really stinking old books that are on the public domain sometimes have a newer copyright notice from the publishing company. Let's say the book was written on 1820 and it has a 1980 copyright notice from such and such publishing company. Does that mean that the book is no longer on the public domain?

I'm thinking of sending my songs to the copyright office, but I have some doubts. I tell myself that I better copyright them so no one can claim to be the author. Then, again, I would like my songs to be enjoyed by everyone even after I'm dead. Sometimes, I think about using my songs to help funding charities. What do you think?

I'm creating my first website and I want to use all kinds of literature. I have heard that I can place poems,speeches and short stories on my website from authors like Poe, Shakespear and other "old" pieces of writing legally as long as I put down who the author is. Is this correct? Are works of literature from authors, such as the ones stated above, considered public domain and are free to anyone? Thanks for your help :)

Under copyright law, derivative works of public domain material is under copyright. I would imagine that this is due to the translator adding things such as a translator's preface, footnotes, etc. However, would the translator have copyright protection to the part of his work which was translated from the public domain material? That is, would he own the words of the translation itself even though he did come up with them?

I have just recorded an album that has two 5-second sound clips that are in the public domain on one track. They are embedded in the rest of the song among many other parts and the piece is not derived from them but stands overall as an original work. Do I need to mention them in the limitation of claim section of the copyright application? If so, how do you find previous registration numbers for public domain works?

I am interested in publishing a book who's original copyright was in 1890, and had a forward added to it in 1983 that is copyrighted. My question is this - can I publish the original work, since the copyright has expired, with a new forward that I write? Or does the addition of the forward in 1983 renew the copyright for the whole work?

Just wondering, public domain means item is out of copyright. Does this also extend to the images/pictures/illustrations within the book/encyclopedia? Anyone know? Thanks :)

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Let's say I use a public domain picture as coverart for an album. If the album makes any sales (legit), would I violate any type of copyright? I know this sounds stupid, but you can never be too sure.