What is the “public domain” and why is it important?
Great question. The public domain refers to that creative content which anyone can use without the permission of the content’s creator. It is where, for example, all the works of Shakespeare are, and essentially where all work pubished before 1923 is. Anyone is free to use that work without asking the permission of anyone. The public domain is important because it frees creators to build upon and cultivate our past without unnecessary or harmful restrictions. When work is protected by copyright law, anyone desiring to distribute or build upon that work must get the permission of the copyright holder. That usually means hiring a lawyer to locate and secure permission. Lawyers are expensive, and depending upon the use, permission is often not granted. The public domain, from this perspective, is a lawyers-free zone. You have the right to perform a Shakespeare play however you want. You don’t need special permission from the heirs of Shakespeare. You don’t have the right to perform Porgy
