The public domain includes works that are free for anyone to use, copy, adapt, or share—no permission or payment required.
A work may be in the public domain because:
Its copyright expired
It was never eligible for copyright
The creator dedicated it to the public domain (e.g., using a CC0 license)
You can use public domain works in class projects, Canvas, publications, videos, and more.
| Type of Work | In the Public Domain? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. government documents | ✅ Yes | Most U.S. federal publications are public domain |
| Works published in the U.S. before 1929 | ✅ Yes | As of 2025, anything published before Jan 1, 1929 is public domain |
| Unpublished works by authors who died before 1955 | ✅ Yes | Life + 70 years rule applies |
| Works labeled CC0 or "No Rights Reserved" | ✅ Yes | Creator has waived all rights |
| Most 20th-century media | ❌ Probably not | Still under copyright |
| Images from Google or Pinterest | ❌ Not necessarily | Don’t assume online = free |