Self-Publishing with ALLi News: Public Domain Opens New Doors as Authors Rethink AI Copyright Battles
Jan 2, 2026
Dan Holloway dives into the exciting newly released public domain works of 2026, featuring literary legends like Agatha Christie. He warns creators about the complex implications of reusing characters, using Winnie the Pooh as a cautionary tale. The launch of the CopyMite Coalition aims to empower indie authors in AI copyright battles, addressing important litigation and licensing goals. A fresh legal challenge raises questions on how book value is assessed in AI training, sparking debate within the author community for unity in the coming year.
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Public Domain Brings New Opportunities
- New works enter the public domain each year, opening creative opportunities for authors to reuse them.
- Dan Holloway warns to check which specific works (not whole series) and characters have entered the public domain before reusing them.
Check Which Works Are Free To Use
- Be careful when reusing public-domain works because only specific books may enter rather than entire series.
- Verify which characters and elements are free to use before publishing new works.
New Coalition Strengthens Indie Authors
- The CopyMite Coalition launched to support indie authors in AI litigation and collective licensing.
- It aims to give indie authors bargaining power and help with copyright disputes involving AI training and takedowns.