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The University Library’s Re-Mix It competition celebrates the public domain

Beginning January 1, 2019, all copyrighted work published in the U.S. in 1923 will enter the public domain. If you want to read more about why this is happening, check out this article.

In celebration of this, the University Library is having a contest that encourages students to draw upon one of these newly released works and make it something new. The contest is open to all undergrad and grad students registered for the Spring 2019 semester (and in good standing). Here are the guidelines:

The work submitted should represent your own original creation and must incorporate public domain works.  Your work may be any kind of creation you wish, including a written work, a musical work (composition and/or recording), a video, a GIF, an animation, etc. You will also be submitting a narrative that articulates the concept driving your creative work and the connection to the public domain work on which it is based.

You will also be asked to cite the public domain work that is incorporated into your original work.

The submission will be judged on three criteria:

  • Connection between the work and the public domain
  • Originality
  • Visual Impact

The entrant must be principal creator of the image. Third party content can be used (for example, mixed with other content), but submitting a third party image unaltered is not permitted. Entrants are responsible for ensuring that any use of images or materials that are under copyright by a third party either falls under fair use or that relevant permissions have been sought, that no copyright has been infringed, and that any necessary release forms have been signed.

The top two creators will win a little cash, and the top four will be featured on the Scholarly Communication and Publishing website. Head there to see all of the specifics of the competition. 

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