What is a public domain work?

Public domain works are works that are no longer subject to copyright restrictions. This means that these works can be used freely by anyone without having to obtain permission from the author. In Kansas, works that are in the public domain include works created before 1978 that were not renewed by the author or anyone else, works created before 1923, and works created by the U.S. federal government. It is also important to note that some works may be considered “orphan works,” meaning that the author cannot be identified or located to grant permission for use. In these cases, an assessment of the risk of legal action must be made before using the work. Public domain works are an important part of art law as they allow for creativity to be shared and fostered without hindering creativity.

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