Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I`ve been trolling around trying to find an answer to this one on a number of boards, and have yet to find it.  Since I can relate it directly back to my desire to be in business, I`ll post it here as well :).

The question is about the line between public domain and copyright.  I`ve come across some public domain works that I think would be of great value to my market.  I`m sure they`re public domain, they`re over 100 years old, etc etc etc..  What I`d like to do is take the original source, modernize it a bit, and republish in some more modern ways (ebook, podcast, etc...)

So, here`s my question.  I can find a dozen different "free" directories on the net that make this public domain stuff available.  But then they go and put their own copyright on the actual text.  I don`t think there`s anything inherently wrong with that - they`re copyrighting their version of the original, which would mean the format they chose, the typos they forgot to fix when transcribing, and so on.  But what I`m wondering is, how do I get my hands on a truly public domain document to use as the source for my own publishing efforts? I can`t simply take someone else`s copyrighted document and start hacking on it.  I figure I have a couple of options -- either take a copyrighted edition and then just modify it as to be unrecognizable from the original (don`t love that one), keep searching until I find someone who has put up a PD licensed version (not impossible - I have Shakespeare that way), or else find a paper copy and transcribe it myself (don`t love that, and besides I think the paper publication would also have a more modern copyright).  Any suggestions?

Second question is, once I get my hands on the PD source, what am I really allowed to do with it?  I figure the options range quite a bit:

- just republish it, as is, the same document from 100 years ago just brought into an electronic form.  This is quite common in the ebook directories, as I`ve mentioned.

- "wrap" it by adding my own introductory matter and other content, but basically leave the original alone.  Call myself the author and attribute original source appropriately.

- hack and slash at will.  Cut out and change what I don`t like, and insert freely.  Call myself the author, but cite the original source someplace in tiny print nobody will see ;)  The trick here would be how you present the work and whether it`s clear to the reader that you are amending an original or if he thinks you wrote the whole thing.

The first question is really the crucial one since it goes directly to legal issues, plagiarism and so on. I don`t relish the thought of Oprah tearing me a new one when I get big and famous. :)  As for the second question I`m trying to figure out the ethical line between the latter two options.  I definitely want to add value to the original, not just republish it, but I`m unclear when it becomes my own work (which would give me some established cred as an authority in the field) versus just a republication of the original, which anybody can do. 

Thanks!



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Personal: http://www.morinfamily.com/blog
Geeky: http://duanesbrain.blogspot.com
Shakespeare: http://suchshakespearestuff.blogspot.com

Try this link for Project Gutenberg and see if it answers your questions.

-Dave
Palari Publishing
publishing, promotion, consultation
Richmond, VA
www.palaribooks.com


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The Work Factory
A business resource center
1113 W. Main St.
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 355-1236
www.theworkfactory.com

sometimes I read articles on this forum and get confused, whether its my own or someone elses(there`s alot of -i;m smart but i cannot apply the basics) - understand this - you should take meaning from what you research (yes, more than one source)and rewrite it. got it? otherwise, buy your articles already prefab. online. And, if you need to quote someone from history, see `A Writers Refernce` by Diana Hacker - make sure its the copy with spiral binder (sells for couple of dollars online + shipping) and use it as a guide to give credit where credit is due.

also, find one of those software programs that determine your writing - there are several online that will check your documents - and report all kinds of stats. fast!

you have to decide whether your time spent writing is more cost efficient than buying someone elses rewrite - old stuff isn`t where isn`t at anymore!! idiots today cannot handle 20,000 different words in logical format - they call it Attension Disorder!! and don`t scare them with your style

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I am no longer posting on this forum. A fellow citizen here suggested that I should Think before I add commitary to my postings. I thought he was wrong, but I am mistaked(not everyone digs Mr.Wicks) E

Hello again.

When you have completed a works and submitted the document online, you should include Reply-by-email request to readers. Why would this be beneficial you ask? Consider this: Microsoft offered a toll free number to it`s client base, so when there was a glitch or problem with their application they would recieved a cost-effective notification from their buyers. Now I am not saying Microsoft got its ideas from the publishing industry. However, you might ponder this method from a writer`s point of view. Don`t expect much return reponses from your readers, but it would act as a pressure release for your knowledge-base. I`ve found that the email message system on this site helpful for communicating with other people, it`s a benefit. It will do good for you, too!

Where else would email communication work? Send a msg. through Startupnation with your suggestions. Thank You.

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I am no longer posting on this forum. A fellow citizen here suggested that I should Think before I add commitary to my postings. I thought he was wrong, but I am mistaked(not everyone digs Mr.Wicks) E

Actually i have a question about publishing a reference book that is much needed in my line of business.

How to make it available without someone stealing the idea, copyright, sell it and benefit, etc....

i  have looked for a book like this for the past 15 years i have been in my field. so now, I would like to write it and publish it...

the market niche is great...

 any advice.. i am a novice at this...

 

No matter what, there will be free-loaders in the intellectual property arena. Think of it like this… If you own a garden and spread your fertilizer to grow the plants you want, you will notice other plants benefiting. That includes weeds. The point is, to fertilize in a manner that there is less “waste” on items you don’t care to fertilize.

When you write a book, create or provide any type of intellectual property, it is likely to be stolen by the weeds. The great part is that the professionals this intellectual property is targeted, will likely pay for it, if it’s helpful to them. I don’t know of the actual percentage of “weeds” in your specific garden, but even to iron clad copyright, trademark, and all of those cannot protect you on a lower level. (look at the music industry and MP3’s)

As I said, copyright it and all that stuff to ensure recognition and to persuade the “weeds” of your industry to think twice about using your intellectual property without permission.

My experience in this comes from my extensive experiences in the music industry. You can use the analogy of a garden or rats in the wheat field. You can’t kill ‘em all. But you can’t let them get away with a free meal either.

Bottom line… do all the legal protection stuff, but don’t worry so much about pirates (unless they really become too bold). Your successful execution of intellectual work will provide a great residual return. That’s the key to living life and earning income without working… Of course you worked on the book, but once it’s on the shelf, your work is more fun than laborious. I would love to find, or return to (music), a “residual income” lifestyle. I hope I have described this clearly.


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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words