What is the public domain?

The public domain is a term used in copyright law to refer to a collection of work that is not protected by intellectual property rights and is available to the public. Generally, works that are in the public domain are no longer covered by copyright and may be freely used by anyone. In Minnesota, works of authorship or artwork can enter the public domain in several ways. First, a copyright can expire over time. If the work is an unpublished work, the copyright will expire 70 years after the creator’s death. For published works, the copyright will expire 95 years after the work is first published. Second, if a copyright is not renewed after 28 years, the work can enter the public domain. Third, the owner of a copyright can choose to release the work into the public domain or dedicate it to the public domain. Lastly, works created by the United States government are automatically considered public domain works. In general, the public domain offers a wide range of material to the public that is available to anyone without permission or restriction. This includes works such as literary works, artwork, music, films, and photographs.

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