Fritzi Ritz

 Nancy and Sluggo were favorites of mine when I was younger. Somehow they have not yet reached the public domain. Likely due to the shenanigan's Disney and Warner Brothers pulled to get the public domain works extended. I've talked about this elsewhere.

However it seems the Fritzi Ritz comics, which are in the public domain, are allowed to use Nancy and Sluggo stories that were originally in their comic books.

Here's a sample.

One of the problems with the current laws concerning the public domain is that classic cartoons like this as well as stories and movies and TV shows are being forgotten. How does this in any way help the original creators? Snow White and Cinderella and other stories from the public domain may never have been known had Disney not taken these works and turned them into a franchise.

So how ironic is it that Disney is one of the culprits in the current ridiculous laws? Because they and others didn't want anyone to step forward and make use of their works after 75 years, they helped get it changed to 95 years and took away the possibility of other classics being turned into household brands.

Next time you watch a Disney classic remember this. 

Dragnet - The Big Sorrow - Joe Shocked His Partner Dead

Another Dragnet episode from the public domain.

A Terrible Night (1896) Bugs

Here is a short silent film that is in the public domain. If you've ever killed a bug that was on you and then kept thinking there were more when there wasn't, you'll get a kick out of this.



 

Disney's Disservice to the Public

 My Youtube channel is a mixture of different things, but what has been very popular is some of the public domain TV and movies I've posted. I'm getting reactions from people who have never seen some of these.

I shouldn't be surprised but I am. I love it. This is one of the reasons public domain works are important and companies like Disney and Warner Brothers stepping in and getting the original dates changed was a disservice to the public.

Here's an example. This Abbott and Costello routine might not be known by many of you because you're maybe too young. This is a classic. If this wasn't in the public domain, it would likely fade away and many people would miss the opportunity to see these classics.

Disney pushed for an extension of how long after a works was published it could enter the public domain. Obviously it was to protect their works such as Mickey Mouse.

Which is ironic as Disney made their mark utilizing public domain works such as Peter Pan and Snow White and Cinderella and many more.  

If you haven't seen this classic "Who's on First" routine, check it out. Even if you have, check it out as this is the only time Costello says "I don't give a damn" in this routine. Back in those days, it wasn't the normal practice on the screen as it is now.  

Highway Patrol Comic in the Public Domain

 I know I date myself once again when I tell you I used to watch "The Highway Patrol" when I was a kid. But it was a good TV show.

Well, it's another TV show that made it's way into the comic books. You can read the comic book here. I think you'll enjoy it and . . .

remember this is public domain. You can read the story and use the plot and story to write your own book.

Three Stooges - Disorder in the Court - Public Domain

This classic video of The Three Stooges features Larry, Curly and Moe. I think most of us Three Stooges viewers like the episodes with Curly.

House of Usher Page 2

Here is page 2 of the comic I'm referencing for you to turn into your own story which you can publish on Amazon.

How to Use Public Domain Comic Books

I want to try something a little different. I'm going to share a comic book with you of "The Fall of the House of Usher". This is in the public domain. This is the opening page. If the interest is there, I will add continuing pages weekly.

I suggest you read this comic book and think of ways you might change this story to make it your own. Yes you can use if as is but making your own story and maybe turning it into a book  you can sell on Amazon can get you started as a writer.

In my opinion this is the way you should use the public domain. Comic books or books you can find at Gutenberg.org will give you plenty of ideas. That's sometimes the hardest thing a writer runs into - coming up with ideas

Use Public Domain to Create Your Own Copyright Product

You can actually create your own unique and copyright product if you use public domain products in a certain way.

It's called "derivative work" and it is a method of recreating existing public domain content by incorporating your own material as well as existing material so that it's a unique collection, book or piece.

When you do this, the portion of the material that you created is instantly protected, while the portion of content you extracted from the public domain continues to be available for use.

This is a very smart method of creating fresh, new products by blending existing content with your own unique material, so that you can present it as a new creation, revised or improved product, and one that cannot be directly replicated as your portion of the work belongs exclusively to you.

One thing to keep in mind as well, is that if you wish to prevent someone from taking an exact copy of material that you have pulled from the public domain and are selling online, is by following the “minimal creativity” requirement, which means that you must add a substantial amount of original content to the works, in order to claim a valid copyright.

Minimal Creativity requirement prevents people from pulling material from the public domain, ‘as is’, and then claiming copyright to the work.

Dragnet - The Big Actor - Full Episode Classic Detective TV Show

Let me give you an example of what you can do with movies that are in the public domain.

This Dragnet movie, Dragnet - The Big Actor - Full Episode Classic Detective TV Show - is in the public domain. I have it on my YouTube channel. As of right now it has over 25,000 views and 164 likes.

Because of Youtubes constant algorithim changes, I am not making any money on it until I reach 1000 subscribers, but if it was monetized, I could expect to see some decent revenue.

Honestly I just found out it was doing so well so you can bet there will be more. 

Updated Date on Public Domain Use

Works that were created prior to 1924 is of public use and is automatically placed within the public domain.

If you are interested in obtaining material that is free of any copyright and aren't interested in doing a lot of research in validating whether material can or cannot be used, focus your search on material that was created prior to 1924 as it is part of the public domain and will be freely available to you.

An example of a new book that has just entered the public domain is The Land That Time Forgot by Edgar Rice Burroughs