Can e-books obtained through public domain sources be shared freely?

E-books obtained through public domain sources can generally be shared freely, as they are not subject to copyright restrictions. Works that are in the public domain are no longer protected by copyright law, either because their copyright has expired, they were never eligible for copyright protection, or their creators have explicitly waived their copyright. As a result, anyone is free to use, copy, distribute, and share public domain works without seeking permission or obtaining a license.

However, it's important to note that while the content of public domain works can be freely shared, the specific editions or versions of e-books may still be subject to copyright protection if they include original elements such as introductions, annotations, illustrations, or editorial enhancements. In such cases, the copyright protection would apply to the added material, but not to the underlying public domain text itself.

When sharing e-books obtained through public domain sources, it's advisable to:

1. Ensure that the work is truly in the public domain by verifying its copyright status. Public domain works are typically older works for which copyright protection has expired, but it's essential to confirm the copyright status to avoid unintentional infringement.

2. Provide proper attribution to the original author or creator of the work, even though no permission is required to use public domain content. Proper attribution acknowledges the contributions of the original creator and helps users identify the source of the shared material.

3. Be mindful of any additional copyright or licensing restrictions that may apply to specific editions or versions of public domain works. While the core content may be in the public domain, supplementary material or derivative works may be protected by copyright or other intellectual property rights.

Overall, e-books obtained through public domain sources can be freely shared and distributed, fostering access to timeless literary classics, historical documents, and cultural artifacts for educational, research, and enjoyment purposes.