Copyright and Fair Use

Copyright Law on Campus is a concise desktop reference about a complex legal subject. Specific topics addressed include how to apply the Fair Use Doctrine and how to use materials outside of the public domain without violating federal law. Written in a straightforward, easy-to-read style, this new book includes the latest legal developments as they apply to life on campus in the digital age, and uses real court cases to explain the conflicts that arise when copyright issues are litigated.

3rd edition. This volume explains how to find creative works that are not protected by copyright and that can be copied and used without permission or fees. Public domain works involving writing, music, art, architecture, maps, choreography, photography, film, television, databases and collections, titles, and software are covered. The book also provides an overview of copyright law, how to determine a work's public domain status, foreign publications, the length of copyright protection, where and how notices appear, and legal problems. Doing research in the Copyright Office and what to do if a work is not in the public domain is also discussed. In this edition, Fishman details resources such as Google Books, MorgueFile, Image*After, Hollywood Film Archive, and Creative Commons. An expanded section on copyright case law is presented and the most recent court decisions are described. One of the appendices lists popular songs in the public domain.

1st edition. Even though grade-school teachers have told us otherwise for years, you can copy other people's creative work and get away with it. How? By dipping into the public domain, where everything is free for the taking.
The first book of its kind, The Public Domain is the definitive guide to the creative works that are not protected by copyright and can be copied freely or otherwise used without paying permission fees.