What is the Public Domain?
The public domain covers works not protected by copyright. Learn which works are in the public domain and how works become a part of it.
The term “public domain” refers to creative materials that are not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright, trademark, or patent laws. The public owns these works, not an individual author or artist. Anyone can use a public domain work without obtaining permission, but no one can ever own it.
There are four common ways that works arrive in the public domain:
- the copyright has expired
- the copyright owner failed to follow copyright renewal rules
- the copyright owner deliberately places it in the public domain, known as “dedication,” or
- copyright law does not protect this type of work.
Types of Works in the Public Domain
There is a wealth of information that does not qualify for federal copyright protection. Some of this includes:
- Film
- Images (photographs, works of art, graphics, etc.)
- Music
- Ideas and facts
- Most U.S. government works (projects written by non-government authors with federal funding may be copyright protected)
- Scientific principles, theorems, mathematical formulae, laws of nature
- Scientific and other research methodologies, statistical techniques and educational processes
- Laws, regulations, judicial opinions, government documents and legislative reports
- Words, names, numbers, symbols, signs, rules of grammar and diction, and punctuation
Books & Articles
Content Ownership and Copyright: Public Domain Chapter by Call Number: Electronic Book (Available Online)ISBN: 9781680782844Publication Date: 2016-08-15
Navigating Copyright for Libraries: Chapter on the Public Domain and Libraries: History, contexts, Threats and Opportunities by Call Number: Electronic Book (Available Online)ISBN: 9783110732009Publication Date: 2022-08-22
Resources from Copyright.gov
- Copyright Basics (Circular 1)
- Obtaining Access to and Copies of Copyright Office Records and Deposits (Circular 6)
- Duration of Copyright (Circular 15A)
- Extension of Copyright Terms (Circular 15T)
- Limitations on Information and Services Provided by the Copyright Office (Circular 17)
Use of this Guide & Sources Consulted
Use of the Guide
This guide is designed to provide basic, general information about copyright, and does not constitute legal advice, it is for reference purposes only. The links to third party sites in this guide are provided for your convenience. Klinck Memorial Library does not take responsibility for the content of these other sites.
Copyright and Fair Use Information at CUC
Created November 20,2024 by Ann Berens & Erika Quintana