Using content. "public domain?" Where to find?

How to use it and find it. Please help:)

[frenzy77]

Hi everybody:)

I have a couple questions.

Well,

Q.1. I wanted to add some content to a website and i was wondering if you guys could tell me where i could find content on "credit" that i could place on a website and not have to worry about copyright ownership?("in the public domain?")

Q.2. I have heard of "in the public domain" and was wondering if this means anyone can use this type of content without the copyrights since it is used/known material?

Q.3. Where can i find or how can i search for content on "credit" that i could use with no problems?(public domain?)

*For example a page on *credit terminology* for free use or a page on explanation on scores.

Q.4. Or is this not possible. Will i need to study the subject and then write from what i've learned about credit?

Q.5. And how can i use the content?
Meaning using the content without plagerising the content?

>For example, if it were a *term*, would i just list the term and then a *definition* that explains the meaning but is not copied?

>Or can i just use the *exact term* and definition since it is a defined term? Meaning a "score" is defined as "blah blah blah". And that's the definition unless you just reword the definition.

Please help
*Please answer each question:)
Thank you very much for your help:)
I appreciate it.

frenzy77

[petra]

Try Wikipedia ;-)

But...

If you want to rank well in the SE's (and thats what its about at the end of the day) you're better off writing your own original content or have someone write it for you .

[voices]

What about info from US government sites and publications?

[rogerd]

Much government material is in the public domain, but I'd be careful about the strategy of publishing public domain material on a new site. Almost certainly, other content miners have gotten there before you. If you find some good content that is in the public domain, run some searches on identifiable phrases to see if there are lots of copies out there already. Read the fine print on government content, as occasionally they may use content created by others that does have a copyright attached.

[Matt Probert]

Try Wikipedia ;-)

Ha bloody ha! The amount of stuff I have had reproduced from my encyclopaedia within Wikipedia without my permission....

Okay, seriously though. When the original author wrote the Encyclopaedia Britannica (the other guys were a publicher and an engraver) he "pinched" a lot of material from older sources. And here's your answer. Old out of copyright material, it doesn't need to be as old as Plato.

You may need to paraphrase the material to bring the language up to date, however.

Matt