Public Domain

Public domain has two main meanings: it can refer to land owned by a government as opposed to private property, but the more common understanding refers to intellectual property that is not protected by copyright, trade mark or patent.

Property in the public domain is therefore owned by everyone and can be used at any time for any purpose by anyone. Common examples include the works of William Shakespeare and the art of Leonardo da Vinci. The legal definition of public domain material may vary from one nation to another.