The Public Domain
The public domain knowledge, information and works are no longer protected by copyright law. For example U.S. Government works are in the public domain, but not the works created by state governments. Facts also don’t fall under copyright law. They are in the public domain. (Carrie Russell, 2004)
The Public Domain Chart - Works Published in the U.S.
| Date of Publication |
Conditions |
Copyright Term |
| Before 1923 |
None |
In the public domain |
| 1923 through 1977 |
Published without a copyright notice |
In the public domain |
| 1978 to 1 March 1989 |
Published without notice, and without subsequent registration within 5 years |
In the public domain |
| 1978 to 1 March 1989 |
Published without notice, but with subsequent registration within 5 years |
70 years after the death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication |
| 1923 through 1963 |
Published with notice but copyright was not renewed |
In the public domain |
| 1923 through 1963 |
Published with notice and the copyright was renewed |
95 years after publication date |
| 1964 through 1977 |
Published with notice |
95 years after publication date |
| 1978 to 1 March 1989 |
Created after 1977 and published with notice |
70 years after death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication |
| 1978 to 1 March 1989 |
Created before 1978 and first published with notice in this period |
The greater of the term specified in the previous entry or 31 December 2047 |
| From 1 March 1989 through 2002 |
Created after 1977 |
70 years after death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication |
| From 1 March 1989 through 2002 |
Created before 1978 and first published in this period |
The greater of the term specified in the previous entry or 31 December 2047 |
| After 2002 |
None |
70 years after death of author, or if work of corporate authorship, 95 years from publication |
For the detailed table, see: http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/ .
