Eli5 if the nosferatu movie is now public domain why does it need to be rented to be seen are you still able to make money off things after they are public domain?

Question

Eli5 if the nosferatu movie is now public domain why does it need to be rented to be seen are you still able to make money off things after they are public domain?

In: 19

Answer 1

When you purchase a copy, you actually own the copy and can do what you want with it. When you purchase a copy of a movie still held in copyright, you own the physical copy in your hand but you only have a limited use license on how you can use it.