How is a work put in the public domain?
If a creator or inventor wants to dedicate something to the public domain, several steps need to be followed. See the chart Intellectual Property Protection for a decision tree that sets forth these steps. Here’s an example that involves software. A software engineer at UCAR creates a new tool that enhances some existing software. The software engineer wants to put this software tool in the public domain. The software engineer must first make sure that she has not incorporated any third party software, or would infringe or violate third party rights by putting the software in the public domain. Next, the software engineer must work with management to make sure that no sponsorship or funding restrictions exist with regard to the dissemination or protection of the software. Finally, institutional guidelines and technology transfer issues should be considered prior to the software being put in the public domain. Once a work is put in the public domain, no one can limit its use by copyrigh
