Public domain意思

"Public domain" is a term used to describe works that are not protected by intellectual property laws, such as copyright or patent laws. This means that anyone can use, copy, modify, distribute, perform, or display these works without needing permission from the creator or copyright holder.

When a work enters the public domain, it becomes part of the cultural heritage that is available for everyone to access and build upon. This can include books, music, films, paintings, and other creative works.

There are several ways for a work to enter the public domain:

The copyright expires: In most countries, copyright protection has a limited duration. After that time, the work is in the public domain. The creator releases the work into the public domain: Some creators choose to give up their copyright and release their work into the public domain. The work was not eligible for copyright protection: Some works, such as simple phrases or facts, are not eligible for copyright protection and are automatically in the public domain. The copyright owner fails to renew the copyright: In some countries, copyright protection may require the copyright owner to take action to renew the copyright after a certain period. If the owner fails to do so, the work enters the public domain. It's important to note that the rules for public domain can vary by country, and some works may be in the public domain in one country but still under copyright in another.