: Re: How to publish public domain books? It is known that the copyright permission is not needed for old books (usually 70 years after the author's death), because the copyright has been expired.

@Kristi637

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The public domain is the public domain...there is no "hidden copyright" if the text is actually in the public domain. So, yes, anyone can republish Shakespeare.

Note, though, that with something like Shakespeare you have to be careful to use a text that is actually in the public domain; in particular, you can't use notes and commentary that are not old enough (and usually the aren't).

Similarly, translations are considered original work, so you cant use a translation unless it is no longer covered by copyright (which is why you see so many publications of Dryden's translation of Dante, for example).

As far as determining whether something is still under copyright, it is somewhat complicated (the "death + 70" rule is just one of many and is only applicable in some cases). A copyright flowchart such as this one: jonathanlaphillipslaw.com/blawg/copyright-expiration-flowchart/ can be of help.

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