What is the public domain?

The public domain is a concept related to copyright law that describes works or materials that do not have any intellectual property rights attached. These works are therefore available to the public without permission or restriction. This includes works that are not currently under copyright protection, such as works created before 1923, or works whose copyright has expired. In Nebraska, works in the public domain are free for the public to use without the creator’s permission, as long as the creator’s original work is not used or altered without their consent. This means that if an individual created a story, artwork, software, or song before 1923, it is in the public domain and can be used by anyone. Nebraska also recognizes works that have had their copyright expire. This is known as the copyright expiration date which usually occurs 95 years after the original works publication date. Public domain works are important to mention as they are not subject to copyright laws and can be used freely by individuals. While the use of public domain works is generally allowed, it is important to note that in Nebraska, these works can still be attributed to the original author or creator. That means any mention of the work should credit the original creator.

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