The Public Domain
A Public Domain Repository
for
The Public Domain
“The public domain comprises the body of knowledge and innovation (especially creative works such as writing, art, music, and inventions) in relation to which no person or other legal entity can establish or maintain proprietary interests within a particular legal jurisdiction. This body of information and creativity is considered to be part of a common cultural and intellectual heritage, which, in general, anyone may use or exploit, whether for commercial or non-commercial purposes.”
Wikipedia
The Public Domain is an interesting concept. According to theory, the public domain is the collection of creative works and inventions that belong to all of us. However, even more importantly, because the pubic domain is made up of public intellectual properties, these works not only belong to all of us collectively, but also to each of us individually.
Less technically, public domain properties are those which “The Man” cannot take away. You are free to keep pubic domain materials where you wish, access them when you wish, and use them how you wish. All without permission from anyone. Ever. After all, it is your property.
This elevates access to the public domain into rarified air. Right up there next to, “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” as an unalienable right.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.”
Thomas Jefferson
However, for property as with life and liberty—though it is crucial for the government to protect these for our benefit—it is undesirable for the government to possess these for our benefit.
The same holds true for The Public Domain.
