Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Copyright, authorship & moral rights · Core

Public domain

ELI5

Material no longer protected by copyright, or never protected, so anyone may use it subject to other rights.

Used in conversation

“The novel is in the public domain, but this translation may still be protected.”

Definition

Material not protected by copyright in the relevant jurisdiction and use, though other rights may still apply.

Here “Public domain” means: Material not protected by copyright in the relevant jurisdiction and use, though other rights may still apply.

Pitch context

You may encounter “Public domain” in rights, contracts, finance, distribution & labour conversations or materials.

Why it matters: Explains who controls, pays for, approves, exploits or bears risk around a project.

Caution

Meaning and consequences may change by contract, collective agreement, territory or law. This entry is orientation, not legal advice.

Connected terms

  • Orphan workPublic-domain work is not protected by copyright; an orphan work may still be protected even though the rights holder cannot be identified or found.
Sources & evidence · 8

Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.