The public domain consists of materials that are no longer protected by copyright or that have been deemed not covered by copyright by law. Please note that what is considered to be in the public domain is different for those residing outside of the United States.

For more information on the public domain, see this Copyright Reference Guide.

To check specific years check the Digital Copyright Slider.

For advice on copyright, contact the Scholarly Communication and Publishing unit at the University of Illinois Library.

For further details and specific works, check out the Duke Law School’s Center for the Study of the Public Domain Public Domain Day website.