Make an Easy Profit with Public Domain Products

Products and materials created prior to 1923 (and even up to 1978) are considered “in” the public domain.

These products can include art, music, written works and innovative ideas that have now become part of the common human culture. Once products cease to fall under proprietary and copyrighted material status, they are open for use by anyone for profitable purposes. (Always consult with a lawyer before using the product however to be sure that all original rights have expired before using the products for your own gain.)

There are a couple of great ways you can use products found on the public domain to make an easy profit.

Public Domain: Songs from the Wild Land

One excellent way is compiling a collection of copyright-free musical works and selling them as digital files to users of MP3 players. You can even translate these works into new compilations, such as dance tunes or mixes and sell them as your own copyrighted work.

Another method of re-using products found on the public domain is to locate old manuscripts and re-write or translate them in your own words. Selling them in collections to vendors who specialize in this type of written work can be a profitable venture. With a little imagination, you can create works adapted from others’ ideas and sell them as your own, with little investment other than time.

Vintage Label Art CD-ROM and Book (Full-Color Electronic Design Series)

Another interesting way to make an easy profit with public domain products is to find images of a nostalgic period and create labels. These labels can be used on health and beauty products, herbal products, or cleaning products that you can produce cheaply and sell to consumers.

A good example of this would be some of the products that are offered in the bigger bath and body shops who are packaged in antique glass bottles or have labels that look like they are from the Victorian age. These types of products are always popular.

The Altered Object: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration

Lastly, why not take public domain products and craft “altered art” with them? This is especially fun for creative types who enjoy making artwork or jewelry items.

Some examples might include charms that are made out of miniature images of old timey products or incredibly small metal pieces made to look like old fashioned utensils or vehicles.

You can even make special handmade items in the fashion of the past, like lace collars and other retro items to be worn by people today. These are actually very popular and can be made and sold quite easily for a nice profit.

Again, use your imagination and re-work ideas of the past by seeking out interesting and unusual products on the public domain.