public domain
compound.compound. the state of creative work that is not protected by copyright. This means anyone can use, share, or change the work for free without asking for permission.
compound. the status of creative works, inventions, or information that are not protected by intellectual property laws. Such works are available for use by the general population without the requirement of licensing or royalty payments.
The classic novel is now in the public domain.
Because the original music is in the public domain, the filmmaker used it in her movie without paying a fee.
Works typically enter the public domain several decades after the creator's death, allowing for new adaptations and educational uses that were previously restricted by copyright law.
Derived from the French phrase domaine public, which appeared in legal treatises regarding the status of property. The English term is a calque formed from the Latin publicus, pertaining to the people, and dominium, signifying lordship or right of ownership.
Often follows the preposition 'in' ('in the public domain').