Definition
A work is in the public domain when it is no longer protected by copyright, so anyone can copy, adapt and publish it. Copyright terms differ by country: in the United States, works published in 1930 or earlier are in the public domain as of 2026, and each year another year's works enter on 1 January.
Translations, illustrations and editions can carry their own, newer copyright even if the original text is old — use the original text or a translation that is itself out of copyright. Trademarks (for example, character names used as brands) are a separate issue.
Public-domain books are a good way to practise book video before promoting your own title, and a common source for literary content channels.
Official source: U.S. Copyright Office: duration of copyright (Circular 15a). Rules and policies change — check the source for the current version.
Practical tips
- Check the copyright status in your own country.
- Use reliable sources such as Project Gutenberg or Standard Ebooks.
- Avoid modern translations unless they are licensed for reuse.