Copyright Laws

Public Domain are works that are not protected by copyright laws. There are no restrictions on using materials that fall under Public Domain. However, no one can own any work in it. You do not need the creator's permission to use these works. You may use any work that falls under the Public Domain as much as you want, in any way you want. Public Domain laws vary by country, so always be sure to check the origin of the work.

Common ways works arrive in the public domain:

1. The copyright has expired. 
   • All works published in the United States before 1928 are in the public domain.
2. Works published between 1928 and 1978 may be protected by copyright if published with notice, and the copyright was renewed.
   • It can be very complicated to understand the copyright of these works due to the many different scenarios and sets of rules that apply to these works.
     • This chart from Cornell University and pamphlet from the United States Copyright Office can help you understand where these works stand with copyright and public domain.
3. The owner was required to renew the copyright and failed to do so.
   • No longer required for works created after 1978
4. The owner deliberately places it in the public domain.
   • The owner must state this intent explicitly.
   • It could be a Creative Commons License.  
5. Copyright law does not protect this type of work. 
   • Titles of books & movies
   • Short phrases 
   • Facts, ideas, or theories 
   • Federal employee works