eAction

Have you noticed that the people who market e-books and digital products from their sites are making money, as my Dad would say, “hand over fist”? Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, “Well, bully for them, but I can’t write an e-book. I don’t DO software either. I haven’t got anything to sell!”

I would guess you haven’t heard of Public Domain materials yet, right?

Maybe like me, you have known for a long time that Public Domain means that the copyright has run out on some book or artwork, or whatever - some intellectual property. If something is attributed to Anonymous, if someone has donated their written or artistic work to the public domain then anyone can use or re-publish that material without fear of being taken to court for breaking copyright.

But did you know that many things written before 1923, and all inspired work or information (i.e. music, inventions, artwork, writing, technology, etc.) to which no one claims ownership, is in the Public Domain? Works published in the United States between certain years, which were not renewed have fallen into Public Domain. As have some works or reports from your governments. Included in this are works by Shakespeare and Ben Franklin and many other well-known people. We need to take time to study up on these factors.

If you have produced something like this, even from Public Domain materials, and have attached your own name to it, then you automatically have copyright to it if you live in North America, or most other democratic countries. You CAN register it with your national archives, but if you can show your original work with your name on it, then you already have copyright for the length of your life - plus 50 years. You may leave your copyrights to your heirs in your will.

Marketeers are discovering this huge, humungous treasure trove of intellectual property which they can dress up with a modern look and appeal, and then re-publish freely. No fees or licensing required.

A few months ago, I came across some who tried to sell the secrets for finding this vast body of free knowledge. Now I am discovering sites on the net that give that information away! It’s hard to keep a secret on the net anyway, isn’t it?

Since the public domain is a treasure trove of information and resources to be used by future generations, many advocates are concerned that its stagnation will make it more difficult for future generations to find creative inspiration.

Just now I’ve been reading on this site http://www.public-domain-sources.com/ but there are many more. Just watch out for those who write long sales pages, to convince you that you can NOT do this without their helpful book or course. If you are patient you can dig up all this stuff for free. You can also learn how to use it to build your own web business and start making money.

I think the key is to be able to discern or tell, which is going to be seen as valuable by the public and which is not. Not everything lying around for free is the golden goose egg.

I am not an authority on this - yet. Take time to research and study this opportunity for yourself!