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Free material: public domain vs creative commons: Editor's Notes #287
May 15, 2019
Hello,

I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow.
—Woodrow Wilson


In this issue:

1. Free material: public domain vs. creative commons
2. Tickled my funny bone
3. Interesting Web site
4. Writing prompt

1. Free material: public domain vs. creative commons
Some writers base their work on that of others. Some writers need the works of others to support their own art. Often, the work of others requires payment because of copyright laws.

Some printed and digital material can be used without payment. These fall into two categories: public domain and creative commons.

There are four areas in public domain. These are works where the following apply to copyright:
  • Copyright has expired.
  • Copyright has been forfeited.
  • Copyright has been waived.
  • Copyright is not applicable. (For example, works created before there were copyright laws.)


Work in the public domain has no specific intellectual property rights.

Creative commons is a licence to use material under copyright in specific ways without charge. If you find material that is covered by creative commons licensing, you must read the specific terms of the licence and abide by them.

Details of copyright differ from country to country, so check the legalities in your own jurisdiction before using anything created by someone else.

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2.Tickled my funny bone
The batteries were given out free of charge.

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3. Interesting Web site
Links on this page take you to copyright information in a list of countries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Copyright_law_by_country/

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4. Writing prompt
The word free is one of those with multiple uses (verb and adjective). Take a minute or two to list as many ideas as you can involving the word free. Then start writing. I’d love to see your result.

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