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Augusta University

Copyright & Fair Use

This guide provides information on copyright and fair use for the classroom and publishing.

Public domain refers to works that are no longer protected by copyright and can be used without permission, including the creation of derivative works. 

Works first published in the United States before 1924 and any work published before 1964 that did not have its copyright renewed are in the public domain.

January 1, 2019 saw the first mass expiration of copyright in the U.S. in 21 years. Read more about it: 

Most U.S. government materials are also in the public domain. Exceptions include some government contract work and some state government work.

Works released into the public domain by the copyright owner. 

Public Domain Resources

New York Public Library Digital Collections:

  • Provides over 600,000+ items
  • Spans a wide range of historical eras, geography, and media, such as illuminated manuscripts, maps, photographs, posters, prints, rare illustrated books, videos, audio 
  • Items are from the fields of applied sciences, fine and decorative arts, history, performing arts, and social sciences. You can search in a number of ways:

openphoto: a photo sharing platform created in 1998 by Michael Jastremski; contributors have offered their images free of charge under terms of Creative Commons licensing.

openclipart: a collection of clipart for unlimited use, even commercially. 

Wikimedia Commons: Free Media resources

Public Domain Tools