Making Your Fortune With The Public Domain by Omar Johnson
Did you know that you could boost your income or even create an income just by utilizing the public domain? Maybe that term is vague or unfamiliar. Simply stated, the public domain refers to the status of certain types of creative material that may have once been copyrighted or patented. That material, though created by other people, belongs to the public. The 'public', which includes you, can then use this material in any way they see fit.
Some examples of material that could be in the public domain include music, books, audio recordings, artwork or unclassified material created by the U.S. Government. Yes! Even if the U.S. Government created it, you can use it to your benefit. That includes Government forms, white papers, photographs, broadcasts and other literature.
All of this material which may have been created by experts, professionals in their field, who pulled together years of struggle and research, now belongs to anyone who can put it to good use. It's a completely legal process that companies have used for years.
HOW MATERIAL BECOMES PART OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
Now don't think that if you spend years of research and labor to produce a book, a report or an audio recording, that it can just suddenly not belong to you anymore. There are ways to protect your material, but, of course, it is up to you to take the necessary actions to actually do it. Let's go through the different ways that material can become part of the public domain.
The first way something enters the public domain is by virtue of the fact that it was created by the U.S. Government. Though people sometimes get confused, it is the Government that works for the people and not the other way around. So when the Government conducts a study and publishes its findings, it's like telling an employee to gather information and report back to the company. The 'company' in this analogy is THE PUBLIC!
The second way a copyrighted or patented thing becomes part of the public domain is if the copyright or patent has already expired. Supposing a person creates something that can be copyrighted or patented, that ownership is for a limited period of time. For a copyright, the length of time is generally the duration of the author's life plus 70 years before it becomes part of the public domain.
A patent's lifespan is only 20 years, but it can be renewed. Also, material that was created before copyright laws were in place is now part of the public domain and that includes anything created before 1923. The bible and the inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci are therefore part of the public domain.
A third way material enters the public domain is if it is a fact. However, there is a stipulation. If you were to come up with a new mathematical formula, that would become part of the public domain. You can't own facts.
On the other hand, if you were to use that formula in conjunction with other formulas to create a new kind of computer program, that program could be owned by you, protected and, therefore, NOT enter the public domain. So facts belong to the public, but if you creatively organize and/or present those facts, that can be copyrighted or patented by you and thus would not enter the public domain.
You should now have a fair understanding of how material becomes part of the public domain. All you need to do is find it and use it creatively to profit from it. For instance, maybe you could take the inventions of Leonardo Da Vinci, recreate the blueprints and build a best-selling novel around them.
Perhaps you could search for and gather, Government Reports on a specific topic and then provide your own analysis on how to interpret them. Everyone knows Government documents can be difficult to understand! It's possible that some Government Studies support and give credibility to your business or invention.
In that case, publish the Studies on your website, in your newsletter or in a Press Release. Your options are unlimited in the ways you can use material found in the public domain to your benefit.
It's important to note that the copyright and patent laws can get extremely complex, therefore only use this information as a solid foundation. After all the technicalities of Law jargon, the U.S. Governments, all 50 State Governments, the European Union and other countries get factored in, it can quickly become an overwhelming task to understand it. That's why it's always a good idea to check with your local governing bodies to make sure you are following the law of the land.
Omar Johnson is author of the home study course "How to Make Money On the Internet While You are Asleep" Get your Free Report
Article Source: Article Center
Friday, November 16, 2007
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Inside Story of Debt Consolidation
The Inside Story Of Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation is a service that requires you to take a low interest loan to pay off other high interest loans. The aim of the loan is to reduce the monthly payments.
If you have been paying high interest rates on an unsecured loan, then you can look for a secured debt consolidation loan that requires you to pledge security collateral against the loan. It can be a home or an asset of higher value than the loan amount.
Collateralization automatically reduces the risk for the lender and hence the lender will be more than willing to offer low rates. On the other hand, if you default on the loan, there is always the risk of foreclosure or forced sale of the asset which you pledged as security in the first place.
Debt consolidation in paying credit card debt
If you are paying a credit card debt, then you must know that credit cards have a higher interest rate than even an unsecured loan. You can always seek a debt consolidation secured loan by pledging property or a vehicle as collateral and reduce your monthly interest rates. The total interest and the cash flow will also be reduced and it will allow you to pay off the debt sooner than the norm.
But if you are an impulsive spender who spends more than he earns, then this will not benefit you that much for you will only increase your credit card balance.
Types of debt consolidation,
There are several types of debt consolidation loans in which you take one low interest loan to repay several loans that you might be paying now.
Bankruptcy is one of the debt consolidation loan types. The rules state that you can repay a part of the loan even if you are not paying it off completely. The court usually assigns someone to supervise the payment distribution. You make the timely payments to the appointee who then pays it to your creditors.
You can also seek credit counseling services for debt consolidation. In this you do not take out a loan but use a third party to negotiate on your behalf for reducing the interest rates and the monthly payments. You pay the monthly installments to the counselor who then distributes it to the creditors. You can once again save on interest rates here.
Although debt negotiation is not necessarily a type of debt consolidation, it is considered to be a similar service. The counselor will set up an account in which you have to make monthly payments. The money from this account is used to pay off the creditors. The counselor is better equipped and has considerable expertise in making negotiations and you will be able to get much better rates than norm.
Finally, the type of debt consolidation loan that you choose depends on your personal situation and choice. Make sure that you understand the pros and cons for each one before selecting it.
Debbie Groves is the owner of The Debt Consolidation People, Inc. which is a premier resource for debt consolidation information. For more information, go to http://www.thedebtconsolidationpeople.com/
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Best Credit Cards If You Have No Credit
The Best Credit Cards If You Have No Credit
By Morgan HamiltonToday, carrying actual money can be very inconvenient, not only that it bulks up your pockets or wallet but there is also more risk by losing it or get it stolen. To solve this problem, a great invention is introduced that enables you to buy things without carrying cash around. We called it credit cards.
This 2 inch by 3-inch plastic can enable you to buy without actually paying cash.
A credit card is a type of transaction settlement. This works by lending the consumer money from the credit card issuer or a bank without having the money removed from the consumer’s account. This means that if you purchase an item using a credit card, the credit card company will lend you money that you will have to pay back.
Sometimes people get out of control when using credit cards, so there is something we call credit limit to limit the purchase.
If you have poor or no credit history and you would want to have a credit card, the best option would be applying for a secured credit card. Secured credit card works just like an ordinary card, but secured by a deposit account owned by the cardholder.
To apply for a secured credit card, the cardholder must first deposit 100% to 200% of the amount of credit desired. This means that if the cardholder deposits $1000.00, he or she will be given a credit that range between 500 – 1000 dollars. Secured credit card deposits are held in special savings account.
Secured credit card holders expect to make the regular payments agreed upon, just as you would do in regular credit cards. However, if the cardholder defaults a payment, the credit card issuer can recover the cost of the credit card holder’s purchases by taking money from the deposit.
Another way to obtain a credit card is to establish a credit history. To do this you must apply for a small loan or a line of credit from your bank.
Getting a loan can be difficult. You can increase your chances of getting your small loan approved by making a large down payment. If you do not have cash, borrow from your parents or family member.
One way to establish a credit history is through gas cards. This is practically easy to get and a very good way to show that you pay your bills responsibly, assuming that you pay every month or before the established payment date.
Research about what the credit card issuer requires applying for a credit card.
If you these do not work, apply for a secured credit card. This will require you to deposit money in a special savings account to ensure credit card issuers that they will get their money back. However, applying for a secured credit card often has higher interest rates.
When you are using secured credit card it is best that you pay on time and avoid having the credit card issuer to take money from your deposit. This is because credit card issuers will often upgrade your secured credit card to regular credit card after a few months of making payments on time.
Avoid being rejected by credit card issuers. Apply for a credit card which requirements can easily meet the requirements.
About the Author: Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Credit Cards. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.getqualitycreditcards.com/categories/bad_credit_credit_cards
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=50313&ca=Finances
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
7 Reasons You Need Business Credit
Seven Reasons Why You Need Business Credit
Have you ever noticed that it is a lot easier to borrow money when you don't need it? The reality is that if you are down and out – either personally or in your business – nobody will lend you a dime. If you're riding high, people (and institutions) seem ready, willing and able to open their wallet.
The best solution is to make sure you have access to money now, before you need it. You don't necessarily need cash in hand, either. Having a flexible line of credit that you can use when you need it can be just as effective.
Here are seven great reasons for establishing a dependable source of money NOW, rather than when the roof is caving in.
1. Timing is everything. At the risk of being redundant, nail down a dependable source of cash before you need it. If a great opportunity comes up, you want to be able to act immediately. If there's an emergency, you don't have time to start looking for funds. Either way, cash – or its equivalent – can make the difference. In short, opportunities don't wait. And you can't wait if there's a crisis looming.
2. Make decisions from a position of strength. It is empowering to make a business decision knowing you have a definite pool of money to work with. It brings a degree of clarity that wishing, hoping and guessing can't match.
3. Stay in control. In business, almost nothing can put you into a tailspin like a significant financial squeeze. If you have to make payroll or meet an unexpected expense, you'll have to scramble to "pull forward" anything with a dollar sign attached. Would you feel more in control if you had a pre-approved line of credit that you could tap if and when an emergency occurred?
4. Changing market conditions. In recent months, top mortgage lenders have closed their doors or severely cut back programs for home buyers. Forclosures are high. The current housing and mortgage environment is creating pressure on business in general. Unsecured credit is almost impossible to find. If you can find a line of credit today, don't wait.
5. Convenience. What could be more convenient than having a pre-approved line of credit available that you can use with the ease of writing a check? You certainly don't want to jump through a lot of hoops every time you need to use the money. For most people, ease of use, minimal hassles, and clear step-by-step processes are worth the investment. After all, how much is your time and peace of mind worth? Find a line of credit that is easy to get and easy to use.
6. Separate your personal assets from your business. Many entrepreneurs and small business owners fall into the trap of using their own money and credit to build their business. This can have a serious impact for the business owner. Consider the implications. A business owner's personal assets and credit can be eaten up quickly if he or she acts as the bank. Also, personal debt can slam your debt-to-income ratios, which could limit you if you wanted to buy that new dream home. Create a line of credit for your business, instead.
7. Use Other People's Money. Leverage is the name of the game. While you have to consider the cost of money, the leverage you gain by being able to use OPM can make the difference in creating wealth and positioning your business for success. A business line of credit can provide start-up capital, consolidate debt, fund business growth, and replace personal money used to fund business expenses.
For More Information: info@www.GetBusinessLinesofCredit.com To apply for a business line of credit: http://www.getbusinesslinesofcredit.com/
Eliminating Credit Card Debt
Five Easy Steps to Credit Card Debt Elimination
For many consumers, credit card debt elimination can seem like mission impossible. When you're thousands of dollars in debt and trying desperately to find a light at the end of the tunnel, the outlook can be quite bleak. Fortunately, no one is beyond help when it comes to breaking free from credit card debt. Here are five easy steps that will have you on the road to credit card debt elimination in no time.
1. Get All of Your Credit Card Statements Together
If you're serious about credit card debt elimination, the first thing you need to do is gather all of your credit card statements together and begin creating a "debt elimination" spreadsheet.
What's going to go on this spreadsheet? You'll want to note how much you owe on each credit card, the interest rate and whether that rate is an introductory teaser rate or a long-term rate. If any of your credit card rates are currently on an introductory time line, make note of when that rate will expire and what it will go up to when it does.
2. Figure Out How Much You Can Afford Each Month
Once you know exactly where your debt stands, it's time to form your game plan. This is critical if you want to pursue credit card debt elimination in the quickest and most efficient manner possible.
First, take a look at how much you can afford to put towards your debt each month. Add up all of your monthly expenses (not including the minimum monthly credit card payments you must make). Take all of your other expenses (include rent/mortgage, car payments, insurance, gas, groceries, utilities, phone, etc.) and add them up.
Once you have your monthly expenses added up, deduct them from your income and see how much you have left over. Take as much of that amount as you possibly can and put it towards your credit card debt elimination plan.
For instance, let's say you have $400 a month left after all of your monthly expenses have been paid. Take $350 of that (leave $50 for emergencies, etc.) and put that towards paying off your credit card debt.
3. Addressing Your Minimum Monthly Payments
The next step towards credit card debt elimination is adding up all of the minimum monthly payments for all of your credit cards. For instance, if you have three credit cards, all with a minimum monthly payment of $75, your total minimum monthly payments would be $225.
If your credit card allocation were $350 each month like the scenario we outlined above, you'd be in okay shape so far. However, if your minimum monthly payments were $400 and you could only afford $350, then you have a serious problem and you need to start cutting out expenses. This may mean turning off your cable till you've achieved credit card debt elimination or foregoing your Starbucks runs, but it will be worth it in the long run.
4. The Plan of Attack
Now that you know exactly how much debt you have and how much money you can afford to pay off that debt each month, it's time to form your plan of attack.
First, take the total of your minimum monthly payments and subtract it from what you have allocated towards credit card debt elimination. So if you have minimum monthly payments of $225 and a credit card debt elimination allocation of $350, your remaining balance would be $125. Take that $125 and apply it towards the credit card with the highest interest rate.
Once the credit card with the highest interest rate is paid off, you're going to take the money you were paying towards that card each month (in this case, it'd be the $125 plus the $75 minimum monthly payment) and pay that $200 towards the card that now has the highest interest rate in addition to the minimum monthly payment. Keep repeating this process until you have achieved total credit card debt elimination.
5. The Fruits of Your Labor
Once your credit cards are all paid off, take half of what you were paying towards your debt and put it into a savings account. This will help you avoid having to rack up credit card debt in the future.
What are you going to do with the other half? Take that half and apply it to the things you were doing without while pursuing credit card debt elimination. After all, once credit card debt elimination is achieved, you do deserve to treat yourself.
For more tips on credit card debt, saving money and avoiding getting taken, check out CreditCardTipsEtc.com, a website that specializes in providing credit card tips, advice and resources.
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