1. Public domain

2. A creative work is said to be in the public domain if there are no laws which restrict its use by the public at large A creative work is said to be in the public domain if there are no laws which restrict its use by the public at large Works of the United States Government and various other governments are excluded from copyright law and may therefore be considered to be in the public domain in their respective countries Works of the United States Government and various other governments are excluded from copyright law and may therefore be considered to be in the public domain in their respective countries All copyrights and patents have always had a finite term, though the terms for copyrights and patents differ. When terms expire, the work or invention is released into public domain. All copyrights and patents have always had a finite term, though the terms for copyrights and patents differ. When terms expire, the work or invention is released into public domain. In most countries, patents expire 20 years after they are filed. A trademark registration may be renewed and remain in force indefinitely provided the trademark is used In most countries, patents expire 20 years after they are filed. A trademark registration may be renewed and remain in force indefinitely provided the trademark is used

3. Copyright – finite term The work was created and first published before January 1, 1923, or at least 95 years before January 1 of the current year, whichever is later; The work was created and first published before January 1, 1923, or at least 95 years before January 1 of the current year, whichever is later; The last surviving author died at least 70 years before January 1 of the current year; The last surviving author died at least 70 years before January 1 of the current year; No Berne Convention signatory has passed a perpetual copyright on the work; and No Berne Convention signatory has passed a perpetual copyright on the work; and Neither the United States nor the European Union has passed a copyright term extension since these conditions were last updated Neither the United States nor the European Union has passed a copyright term extension since these conditions were last updated

4. The claim that "pre-1923 works are safe" is only correct for published works; unpublished works are under federal copyright for at least the life of the author plus seventy years. The claim that "pre-1923 works are safe" is only correct for published works; unpublished works are under federal copyright for at least the life of the author plus seventy years. If they were created before 1978 but first published before 2002, the works have federal copyright protection until 2047. If they were created before 1978 but first published before 2002, the works have federal copyright protection until 2047.

5. Trace Secrets If guarded properly, trade secrets are forever. If guarded properly, trade secrets are forever. A business may keep the formula to Coca- Cola a secret. However, once it is disclosed to the public, the former secret enters public domain A business may keep the formula to Coca- Cola a secret. However, once it is disclosed to the public, the former secret enters public domain