Public Domain

Dictionary. COM gives the following definition of what public domain is:

  • n : property rights that are held by the public at la
  • The total absence of copyright protection. If
    something is "in the public domain" then anyone can copy it or
    use it in any way they wish. The author has none of the
    exclusive rights which apply to a copyright work
  • The phrase "public domain" is often used incorrectly to refer
    to freeware or shareware (software which is copyrighted
    but is distributed without (advance) payment). Public domain
    means no copyright -- no exclusive rights.

Copyrighted works maintain their copyright for a certain number of years. Once the copyright expires, the work enters what is called, “Public Domain.” This means that the work may be used by anyone. Works that still maintain their copyright may be put into the public domain if the author of the work gives a statement saying that the copyright work may be freely used.


For a chart created by Lolly Gasaway that explains when copyright works pass into the public domain click on public domain.