Public Domain Publishing Statement
This website is dedicated to preserving and sharing literary works that are in the public domain under U.S. copyright law. All books published here have been carefully reviewed to ensure they meet the legal criteria for public domain status.
What Is the Public Domain?
A work is considered to be in the public domain when it is no longer protected by copyright and may be freely used by anyone. This includes:
- Works published in the U.S. before 1929 (as of 2025)
- Works whose copyright was not renewed (for those published between 1923–1963)
- Works published without proper copyright notice before 1978
- Works created by the U.S. federal government
These rules are codified in Title 17 of the United States Code, including:
- § 102(b): Subject matter not protected
- § 105: U.S. government works
- § 304(a): Renewal requirements
- § 405: Notice requirements
Legal Basis for Republishing
We rely on authoritative sources to verify public domain status, including:
- U.S. Copyright Office – Duration of Copyright
- Cornell University – Public Domain Chart
- University of Pennsylvania – Copyright Renewal Records
- WIPO – Managing IP in Publishing
- Write Right India – Public Domain Publishing Guide
No Licensing Required
Under U.S. law, no license or permission is required to reproduce, distribute, or adapt public domain works. This is affirmed by Title 17, U.S. Code § 102(b), which excludes ideas, facts, and expired works from copyright protection.
Jurisdictional Advisory
Copyright laws vary by country. While these works are in the public domain in the United States, users outside the U.S. should verify local laws before reuse or redistribution.
Contact
If you are a rights holder or have questions about a specific publication, please contact us with documentation and we will respond promptly.