Understanding What’s Free and Legal

There’s a lot of free content on the internet. Some of it is in the public domain, which means you can use it legally. But you must be careful to understand the rules before you use anything.

Always Check Copyright

Before using any content, make sure it’s really free to use. If something is still protected by copyright, you could get into serious trouble. That can hurt your reputation and cost a lot of money.

Always confirm:

• Is the work really public domain?
• Has the copyright expired?
• Is there clear proof it is free to use?

If you aren’t sure, don’t use it.

What Is Public Domain?

Public domain works may include:

• Old books
• Historical photos
• Government publications

Public domain content belongs to everyone. You can:

• Copy it
• Share it
• Change it
• Sell it

You don’t need permission.

Here are some places to look to look for Public Domain content:

• Project Gutenberg – Free classic books.
• Wikimedia Commons – Images and media (check each license).
• Library of Congress – Historic photos and documents.

Even though you don’t have to give credit for public domain works, it’s still polite to do so.

See a more complete list in a later article.

What Is Copyleft?

Copyleft content is different from public domain. The creator still owns the work but allows others to use it with some conditions. Many copyleft works use Creative Commons licenses.

Creative Commons licenses often include rules like:

• Attribution (BY) – You must give credit.
• ShareAlike (SA) – If you change it, you must share it under the same license.
• NonCommercial (NC) – You can’t use it to make money.
• NoDerivatives (ND) – You cannot change it.

Always read the license carefully.

How to Give Credit (Attribution)

If attribution is required, include:

• The creator’s name
• The title of the work
• Where you found it (link if online)
• The license name

Example:

File:Longcat (6435769739).jpg, Dwight Sipler from Stow, MA, USA, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

This protects you and shows respect for the creator.

Watch Out for Duplicate Content

Search engines can detect copied content. If you use public domain material exactly as it is, your website may not rank well.

Make your work more original and more valuable:

• Rewrite it in your own words
• Add your own ideas
• Combine ideas from several sources
• Check spelling and grammar
• Make the tone match your style

What Can You Create with PD Content?

With public domain and properly licensed copyleft content, you can create:

• Ebooks
• Print books
• Blog posts
• Podcasts
• Videos
• Email newsletters

… and more!

In Summary

Public Domain = Free to use.
Copyleft = Free to use, but follow the rules.