Is a Project Gutenberg text usable outside the U.S.?
Not automatically. Project Gutenberg's books are free of restriction under U.S. law, and it tells readers elsewhere to check their own country's laws. In the UK, the EU and Australia the test is 70 years after the author's death, which a book published before 1931 may not yet meet. As of 2026-09-25.
| Source | Covers | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Term | 70 years after the death of the author for works |
| European Union | Term | Life of the author and 70 years after death, across the member states |
| Project Gutenberg | Basis | Books not restricted by U.S. copyright law, usually because the term has expired |
| Project Gutenberg | Outside the U.S. | Readers outside the United States are told to check their own country's laws |
| United Kingdom | Term | 70 years after the author's death for written works |
Inclusion rule. A source is listed when its own text states what the question asks. Order. Sources in alphabetical order.
The gap shows up with authors who published young and lived long. A novel from 1925 is public domain in the United States, but if its author died in 1960 it stays protected in the UK until the end of 2030.
The warning sits in Project Gutenberg's own licence, beside the terms for its trademark.
For a film shown worldwide, the stricter rule tends to decide.
1In their own words
Australia
70 years after the death of the author for works
Attorney-General's Department, Australia, Copyright basics
European Union
shall run for the life of the author and for 70 years after his death, irrespective of the date when the work is lawfully made available to the public.
EUR-Lex, Directive 2006/116/EC on the term of protection
Project Gutenberg
books not restricted by U.S. copyright laws, usually because any period of restriction under U.S. law has expired
Project Gutenberg, license page
If you are outside the United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
Project Gutenberg, license page
United Kingdom
Written, dramatic, musical and artistic work 70 years after the author’s death
GOV.UK, How long copyright lasts
- Duration70 years after the death of the author for works
- Article 1Life of the author and 70 years after death, across the member states
- License explainedBooks not restricted by U.S. copyright law, usually because the term has expired
- Full licenseReaders outside the United States are told to check their own country's laws
- Table70 years after the author's death for written works
Australia · European Union · Project Gutenberg · United Kingdom · Which books are public domain in the United States? · Do public-domain ebook files carry their own terms?
2From book to screen, one tool's way
Once the rights in “Is a Project Gutenberg text usable outside the U.S.?” are settled, SceneMixer describes the adaptation itself like this:
Typically 60–120 seconds, always 9:16 vertical, ending on a hook. SceneMixer's episode outlines are generated with that pacing, and setting a project to 9:16 makes every segment vertical (the default is 16:9).
SceneMixer, How to Make ReelShort-Style Dramas with AI — “How long is a ReelShort-style episode?” (read 2026-10-13)
The same three-step project and editor a drama uses, with ad wording: Ad script, Cast & set, Shots.
SceneMixer, One-Click Generate or Expert Mode — “What is the ad workbench?” (read 2026-10-13)