Public Domain: What It Is and How to Use It

The public domain is the collection of creative works that are not protected by copyright. This means that anyone can use, copy, or distribute public domain works without permission from the creator.

Works enter the public domain for a variety of reasons. In the United States, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years. After this time, the work enters the public domain. Works may also enter the public domain if they were never copyrighted or if the copyright was not properly renewed.

Public domain works include a wide variety of materials, such as books, movies, music, images, and software. Some famous examples of public domain works include:

Public domain works are a valuable resource for artists, educators, and businesses. They can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating new works of art, developing educational materials, and promoting products and services.

Here are some tips for using public domain works:

Public domain works are a valuable resource for everyone. By understanding the public domain and how to use it, you can access a vast library of creative works to use for your own personal or professional projects.