Library: Copyright: Public Domain

Public Domain

Definition: The public domain is generally defined as consisting of works that are either ineligible for copyright protection or with expired copyrights. Public domain refers to the total absence of copyright protection for work.

No permission is needed to copy or use public domain works. Public domain material is available for anyone to use for any purpose, private and commercial.

For the detailed table of public domain dates, see the "Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States" website from Cornell University.

Quick Links

Creative Commons
Use this multimedia search engine to find various types of CC licensed items from sources such as Google Images, Fotopedia, Jamendo, Flickr and more.
Wikimedia Commons
A database of over 7 million freely usable media files to which anyone can contribute.
Legal Sources of Online Content
A listing of legitimate services approved by the AAP, MPAA, and RIAA.
Digital Copyright Slider
From the American Library Association