Public Domain Day

Public Domain Day is on January 1st. Copyright expires annually, making designs national treasures. In the US, this happens 70 years after the death of the person who created the work. In some cases, the period is extended – it depends on many factors.

History

Wallace McLean, who lives in Canada, has always been distinguished by his zeal for community service. He made every effort to create this holiday. To do this, he went a long way and enlisted the support of respected individuals and organizations. In 2001, Creative Commons was formed with the main goal of increasing the number of works available to the general public. In 2004, Public Domain Day became a traditional part of public life.

The catalog of available works and authors appeared on the first day of 2010. Today, anyone can easily go to the site and use the works of various authors without hindrance. Every year, more works become available!

Interesting Facts

Did you know:

• The author can make their work fully available during their lifetime;
• Such works can be used without payment of royalties;
• The works of William Shakespeare have always been in the public domain;
• At the international level, the holiday was first in 2020.

How to Celebrate

Read available literature on the Internet – even a few lifetimes will not be enough to get acquainted with all the works. Fantasize and write sequels to books in your own way, or read the interpretations of ordinary people. Try to add your vision to the paintings. Organize a themed party and invite your friends. Share the importance of the holiday on social media.

When is Public Domain Day in 2025?

Public Domain Day is observed on January 1 each year.

Observations