Studio Companion: Volume One

This is a preview of Gold Rush Games’ The Dragon’s Gate. The following text and illustrations are just a sample from the free 14-paged preview. The full preview can be downloaded at the end of this page.

This preview of APG Studio Companion, Vol. I shows the possibilities that public domain images can provide for your e-publishing business as well as Game Masters wishing to spruce up their home-brewed campaign website.

What is Public Domain?

Work that is “public domain” merely represents that it can be used freely without permission fro m a former owner(s) of the copyright. Works that are “public domain” have either never successfully fulfilled the requirements to become copyright material or their copyright expired and was not renewed. What can I do with these images? These public domain images found in this preview or our book can be used to any extent that you desire, no strings attached.

How do I know what is public domain?

There is no hard and fast rule what is or is not public domain. There are numerous copyright laws and revisions, however once a work becomes public domain, it stays public domain no matter any future revisions to the copyright law. It takes time and diligence in researching what pieces of art has become public domain as opposed to derivative work. Needless to say, we have done the research for you and have passed on our findings for a small fee.

What is a Derivative Work?

A derivative work is based upon an original piece of work, however it has been changed or altered to a point that it becomes another original piece of art. In this preview, we will show you how you can take a public domain piece of art and make it a derivative work that you can actually copyright.

Note: The derivative works of art presented herein are copyrighted material by Alea Publishing Group. We will clearly mark what is a derivative piece and what is not. Also note, that you will find no derivative pieces of art inside APG Studio Companion, Vol. I. All of the work presented by the three-featured artists are public domain and are copyright free.

Below is a public domain image that can be used for any purpose that suits your needs, once again, no strings attached. This image has not been altered from the one that is presented in APG Studio Companion, Vol. I. There are fifty images that you can enjoy and, since they are public domain, you may use them anyway you wish. The following page will show you what we have done to create derivative works from these public domain images.