Library Services for Faculty

What is Public Domain? 

It is a work that is not protected by copyright. This work can be reproduced, distributed, performed, displayed, or made into derivative works without the permission of the copyright holder. 

Typically work in the public domain includes: 

• work where the copyright has expired. 
• the copyright was not renewed. 
• the copyright holder placed the work in public domain.
• the work is not eligible for copyright protection. 

If a work does not meet these four conditions, then assume it is protected by copyright. 

What is considered to be public domain work?

• Federal Documents 
• Phone Books 
• Freeware 
• Works registered with Creative Commons 
• Works that aren't granted copyright 
• Works published before 1923
• Works published between 1923 and 1963 without a copyright notice
• Works published between 1923 and 1963 with a copyright notice, but the copyright was not renewed