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Studio Arts

Public Domain

Cover of comic, superhero with video camera and creative commons shield 

Tales from the Public Domain: BOUND BY LAW?
A great and funny interpretation of public domain laws for artists and filmmakers - written as a comic book! Produced by Duke University's Center for the Study of the Public Domain, you can read the digital version for free and learn more than you wanted to know about copyright and the public domain.

cover of comic book with zombies and superheroes

Tales from the Public Domain: THEFT - A History of Music

Another innovative graphic interpretation of copyright law as seen through the history of music appropriation. Published by the Center for the Study of the Public Domain and chronicling 2,000 years of being influenced by, borrowing, and stealing music, from Plato to Blurred Lines. You can read the digital version for free!

What Is Copyright?

Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S.Code) to the authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. 

from US Copyright Office "Copyright Basics"

See also U.S. Copyright Act, U.S. Code, Title 17

Copyright Basics

Copyright-Free Images

Even if you can use images for free, most images require that you credit the copyright holder or the website where you got the image from. Here are some sites to get you started:

Fair Use

Check out this 10 minute video that covers copyright basics and Fair Use - made entirely with Disney clips!


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