FAQ
- 1. Who hosts these files? (disclaimer)
- 2. What is public domain?
- 3. How do I download a video?
- 4. How do I watch in full screen?
- 5. Are there other similar resources?
- 6. I want to use material featured on this site. How?
- 7. I want to have my film listed on this site. How?
- 8. I have problems playing the videos. Help!
- 9. Why have some videos been removed?
- 10. What star rating system is used on this site?
1. Who hosts these files? (disclaimer)
None of the audio/visual content is hosted on this site. All media is embedded from other sites such as Google Video, YouTube, Joost. Therefore; this site has no control over the copyright issues of the streaming media.
All issues concerning copyright violations should be aimed at the sites hosting the material. This site does not host any of the streaming media and the owner has not uploaded any of the material to the video hosting servers. Anyone can find the same content on Google Video or YouTube by them selves.
The owner of this site cannot know which movies, documentaries or cartoons are in public domain, which has been uploaded to e.g. google video by the owner and which has been uploaded without permission, and is therefore willing to remove any violating material immediately upon request. The copyright owner must further contact the source if he wants his material off the Internet completely.
Read the Terms of Use as use of this site constitutes acceptance of them.
2. What is public domain?
Many of the old movie are in public domain. Note that most of the newer videos are probably not in public domain.
"When a work's copyright or patent restrictions expire, it enters the public domain and may be used by anyone for any purpose." read more on wikipedia
From Archive.org:
"If the work was made in 1923 or earlier, it is probably public domain and can be uploaded. NOTE! Restored versions of the film or new soundtracks for silent films can have more recent copyrights that are still valid - usually a copyright notice for a new soundtrack or restoration will appear in the film.
For works made from 1923 to 1949, post a question to the movie forum on this site [at archive.org] before you upload. The copyright could have been renewed and there isn't a way online to check a film's copyright status.
For works made from 1950 to 1963, you can check the title at the Library of Congress Copyright Database for copyright renewals: http://www.copyright.gov/records/cohm.html . This will list copyright renewals for most films."
A video may fall under public domain if: (1) the term of copyright for the video has expired; (2) the author failed to satisfy statutory formalities to perfect the copyright or (3) the video is a work of the U.S. Government.
Related links:
The Public-Domain Movie Database
Proof of Public Domain
Union for the Public Domain
U.S. copyright Office
3. How do I download a video?
- Use this Firefox Ad-on - "Download Flash and Video is a great download helper tool that let you download Flash games and Flash videos (YouTube, Facebook, Dailymotion, Google Videos and more) with a single click. The downloader is very easy to use."
- Or go to keepvid.com and follow the instructions. Very easy.
- Net Movie Downloads - Search & download over 80 million movies online.
You should only download movies that are in public domain / open source / creative commons
4. How do I watch in full screen?
Click the full screen button located beside the volume control. To return to the original size, hit Esc.
5. Are there other similar resources?
Archive.org - "This collection contains thousands of videos which range from classic full-length movies, to daily alternative news broadcasts, to user-uploaded videos of every genre. We hope you enjoy this vast and diverse collection!"
Publicdomaintorrents.com - "Public Domain Movie Torrents hosts a wide variety of movies now in the public domain that you can download for free using BitTorrent technology. Many for PDA iPod PSP and other mobile devices."
The Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) is a non-profit professional association established to advance the field of moving image archiving by fostering cooperation among individuals and organizations concerned with the acquisition, preservation, exhibition and use of moving image materials.
Footage.net - "Since 1994, FOOTAGE.net has been the premiere stock footage resource to reach the trade's best stock footage sources - news, creative, archival, and RF. Now find better content faster than ever before."
Creative Commons - "Creative Commons provides free tools that let authors, scientists, artists, and educators easily mark their creative work with the freedoms they want it to carry. You can use CC to change your copyright terms from 'All Rights Reserved' to 'Some Rights Reserved.'"
6. I want to use material featured on this site. How?
Do not ask us to send you material - We don't have any - all we do is find them online and link to them.
Here is a list of movies and documentaries featured on this site that are somewhat verified to be in public domain.
You can only use material that is in public domain, open source or published under CCL (creative commons license). Use archive.org and openflix.com to verify which of the material is in public domain.
Use these sites:
- Archive.org - Study the site and read their FAQ.
- OpenFlix.com - "OpenFlix makes a good faith effort to determine the United States public domain status of movies listed in our directory."
- The Public-Domain Movie Database - "Created to assist people in their search for public domain movies and to develop a better understanding of the public domain laws, this database is intended to serve as a source for this need."
- Creativecommons.org - "Enabling the legal sharing and reuse of cultural, educational, and scientific works"
- Spinxpress.com - "The best way to search for Creative Commons licensed media."
- Creative Commons (wikipedia)
- Public Domain (wikipedia)
- Fair Use (wikipedia)
7. I want to have my film listed on this site. How?
If you are the copyright holder, just upload the film to blip.tv, YouTube, Vimeo or Joost (or any other video hosting service with embedding possibility) and send us the link. You may also provide us with a link to your site and a description of the film.
8. I have problems viewing the streaming videos. Help!
(Note: If the screen is blank and nothing happens the video has probably been removed)
If the video plays but suddenly stops, try moving the video timeline pointer past the point where it stops.
Go to Google Video Help Center
Get the latest Windows Media Player
Get the latest Flash Player
Get the DivX Codec
Get the DivX Player
9. Why have some videos been removed?
They have been removed by the host, usually Google Video, YouTube or a similar video hosting service by any number of reasons. There's nothing we can or will do about it.
10. What star rating system is used on this site?
We use Stars Rate - a simple, yet extremely powerful voting script that can be used to poll your web site visitors.
