copyright public-domain publishing
Can I use the PDF of a public domain work to publish a hard copy book?
<p>Suppose I download a PDF file of a book (one that is undisputably in the  public domain, like a mid-1800s Bible). The PDF is created from source files using a combination of automated conversion and manual typesetting/editing. Various versions and excerpts (of both the same source and of this particular file) exist elsewhere online.</p>

<p>The file's text itself does not contain a copyright notice, just an original publishing date and a request to update the PDF file maker if errors are found.</p>

<p>I would like to make a few changes to the work and publish it as a hard copy book. Is there any legal concern with doing so? Would I need to include their PDF notice? </p>

<p>The only elements of such a work that would be protected by copyright are the contemporary creative aspects. That would include (recently) added commentary, concordance or artwork. Presenting a work in a new file format does not constitute a creative addition, so there is no protection for the PDFness of a public domain work.</p>
