What is the Public Domain?
If a work is within the public domain, there are no ownership rights associated with it.
Anyone may reproduce, redistribute, or adapt the work. There is no need to seek permission for its use.
- Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United StatesPeter B. Hirtle, Cornell Copyright Information Center. http://www.copyright.cornell.edu
- Digital Copyright SliderUse the digital copyright slider to determine copyright duration
- A Defense of the Public Domain: A Scholarly EssayGasaway, Laura N. Law Library Journal Vol. 101:4 [2009-25]
Finding Resources in the Public Domain
- HathiTrust Digital LibraryHathiTrust began in 2008 as a collaboration of the thirteen universities of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation, the University of California system, and the University of Virginia.
- Public Domain ResourcesA comprehensive list of public domain resources from the Columbia University Libraries/Informations Centers Copyright Advisory Office.
- Creative CommonsSearch the Creative Commons for materials.
- The CommonsA large collection of digital photographs.
- Public Domain SherpaInformation on finding and using public domain materials in the United States.
- Internet ArchiveA digital library of books, movies, music, software, websites, and more.
Relevant US Code
- TITLE 17 > CHAPTER 3§ 301. Preemption with respect to other laws
§ 302. Duration of copyright: Works created on or after January 1, 1978
§ 303. Duration of copyright: Works created but not published or copyrighted before January 1, 1978
§ 304. Duration of copyright: Subsisting copyrights
§ 305. Duration of copyright: Terminal date