Public domain refers to creative works that are not protected by copyright, trademark, or patent laws. Unlike copyrighted works, which are owned by an individual or organization, public domain works belong to the public. This means anyone can use, reproduce, or adapt them freely without permission. No individual or entity can claim ownership of a public domain work.
You may distribute public domain works on our platform, as long as you comply with our content guidelines.
How Works Enter the Public Domain
There are several ways creative works can become public domain:
- Copyright Expiration – After the statutory copyright term ends, the work automatically enters the public domain.
- Failure to Renew Copyright – In some regions, missing required copyright renewal steps can place a work in the public domain.
- Voluntary Dedication – Creators can choose to place their work into the public domain.
- Non-Eligible Works – Certain works are never eligible for copyright protection and are public domain from the start.
Collections of Public Domain Material
Individual public domain works are free to use. However, collections of public domain works may have copyright protection for the selection, arrangement, or presentation. For example, a curated book of public domain poems may be copyrighted as a collective work, even though the individual poems are free to use. You may use the individual works, but distributing the entire collection without permission could violate copyright.
Distribution Limitations
Even if a work is public domain, some digital platforms may restrict availability in certain territories due to legal or policy considerations. These restrictions are set by the platforms themselves, and there is no way to force content publication in restricted areas.
Resources for Public Domain Content
