Public domain
From Pool
The public domain (PD) comprises the body of knowledge and innovation (especially creative works such as writing, art, music, and inventions) in relation to which no person or other legal entity can establish or maintain proprietary interests within a particular legal jurisdiction. This body of information and creativity is considered to be part of a common cultural and intellectual heritage, which, in general, anyone may use or exploit, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes.
If an item ("work") is not in the public domain, this may be the result of a proprietary interest as represented by a copyright or patent. The extent to which members of the public may use or exploit it, in relation to which proprietary interests exist, generally is limited. However, when a work's copyright or patent restrictions expire, it enters the public domain and may be used by anyone for any purpose.
see also
Reference
- Fishman, Stephen, The Public Domain: How to Find & Use Copyright-Free Writings, Music, Art & More. ISBN 0873374339
External links
- Flowchart to determine Public Domain status of a work in the U.S.
- Chris Sprigman's article The mouse that ate the public domain: Disney, The Copyright Term Extension Act, And Eldred v. Ashcroft
- The Public Domain In Copyright Law by Edward Samuels, published in Journal of the Copyright Society (1993)
- The Public Domain Revisited by Edward Samuels, published in the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review (2002)
- Short list of uncopyrightable things in the U.S.
- Summary list of copyright terms in other countries
- OpenFlix Directory of films in the US public domain.
- Public Domain Movies
- Free Images A blog linking to, and talking about, public domain images on the Web
| Notice: This article is based on a text, which was copied from Wikipedia. You will find a list of its authors at the history-page of that original article. |
