What is a public-domain work?

A public-domain work is a piece of creative work that is not protected by any copyright or other intellectual property law. This means that the public is free to use, reproduce, redistribute, or modify the work without any permission or payment to the copyright holder. This differs from copyrighted works, where the copyright holder controls the use, reproduction, and distribution. In Mississippi, public-domain works generally fall into two categories: works that are not protected by copyright because of their age, and works for which the copyright has expired. Examples of public-domain works in the former category include works published before 1922, and works published before 1964 that were not renewed for copyright protection. Examples of works in the latter category include works whose copyright holders have explicitly dedicated their work to the public domain, or works whose copyright has expired due to lack of renewal or notice. Public-domain works are an important part of the intellectual property landscape, as they provide the public with access to creative works without the need to obtain permission or pay a fee. Additionally, public-domain works can be used as a source of inspiration for new creative works.

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What is a public-domain work?

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