Copyright Fundamentals: Public Domain

Works in the Public Domain are not protected under copyright law and may be freely used by anyone!

Generally these include works published before 1923; those whose copyright terms have expired; or anything published by the U.S. federal government. Copyright terms vary depending upon the life of the author and whether or not the author is a corporation.

More about the Public Domain:

Copyright and the Public Domain
By Peter B. Hirtle

Search Copyright Records
Use this search tool at the United States Copyright Office for tracking down copyright records.

The Public Domain
University of Minnesota Copyright Services

Public Domain Slider
See if a work is protected under copyright or now in the Public Domain