1.7.0.0.5: The Public Domain
Works that pass into the Public Domain are no longer protected by the Copyright law. PL 105-298 (Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of October 27, 1998) revised the terms by which materials pass into the Public Domain. They are as follows:
| Date of Work | Protected From | Term |
| Created 1-1-78 or after | When work is fixed in tangible form of expression | Life + 70 years[1] (or if work of corporate authorship, the shorter of 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation) |
| Published before 1923 | In public domain | None |
| Published from 1923 – 1963 | When published with notice | 28 years + could be renewed for 47 years, now extended by 20 years for a total renewal of 67 years. If not so renewed, now in the public domain |
| Published from 1964 – 1977 | When published with notice | 28 years for first term; now automatic extension of 67 years for second term. |
| Created before 1-1-78 but not published | 1-1-78, the effective date of the 1976 Act which eliminated common law copyright | Life + 70 years or 12-31-2002, whichever is greater |
| Created before 1-1-78 but published between then and 12-31-2002 | 1-1-78, the effective date of the 1976 Act which eliminated common law copyright | Life + 70 years or 12-31-2047 whichever is greater. |
[1] Term of joint works is measured by life of the longest-lived author.