Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2020 May 24

= May 24 =

Can you monetize a copyright-free text on Youtube?
Hi!

I can find the answer to this question: Can I read a copyright free text (official document, lettre or part of an old book) and monetize the video on YouTube? Thanks in advance for your help! Ericdec85 (talk) 16:31, 24 May 2020 (UTC)
 * You would need to read whatever YouTube's rules are. You might also ask yourself about the ethics of it. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 20:47, 24 May 2020 (UTC)
 * I have a hard time seeing ethical issues unless someone is opposed to the idea of copyright generally. They're creating a new work with their recording, and they hold the copyright to the recording in any Berne Convention signatory (most of the world). This is exactly what copyright is intended to incentivize. Many people make money from all kinds of things related to public domain works, such as print editions, translations, and adaptations. --47.146.63.87 (talk) 22:58, 24 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Is the OP talking about text he wrote or that someone else wrote? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 05:09, 25 May 2020 (UTC)
 * He specifically instances "official document, lettre [sic] or part of an old book", so evidently not. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.202.168.206 (talk) 12:00, 25 May 2020 (UTC)
 * I presume so as long as you're permitted to monetize and the video complies with their policies: . --47.146.63.87 (talk) 22:58, 24 May 2020 (UTC)