Is it legal to build an educational course on a specific book?

Question

I want to build an online educational course on a specific book (written in the early 20th century) to help others consume the valuable content.I don't have plans to charge for the course, just build it and host it so others can benefit from it.I need to use the name of the book in my app to make it easier to find people who know about the book, but have never actually read it or absorbed its content.Do you think I am breaking any laws by calling it something like "Book X Educational Course" or similar?

gregjor · Accepted Answer

If the book is adopted curriculum (approved for classroom use in one or more states) you might run into the powerful textbook publishing industry. A book as old as you mention (early 20th century) does not seem likely to still be a current adopted textbook. You would have the usual copyright and fair use concerns.

gjvc · Answer

Many university lectures subsidise their salary via a slight variation on this.

miguendes · Answer

"written in the early 20th century". Are you sure it's not public domain by now?

_448 · Answer

There are people who record the reading of books and upload those recordings to youtube. How does that work then?

golem14 · Answer

You mean, like "Bible study" ?