noncopyrighted
Free to copy
Noncopyrighted describes material not protected by copyright law—either because protection was never claimed, has expired, or was explicitly waived.
Noncopyrighted works can be freely copied, distributed, or modified without permission: The archive contains thousands of noncopyrighted photographs from the early 1900s.
Often synonymous with public domain.
No per-use payments
- unlicensedWithout official permit
- unencumberedFree from hindrances
- unrestrictedHaving no limitations
- permissiveTolerant, lacking strictness
open-source · copyleft · creative commons · GPL · freeware · shareware · libre · reusable
Shared community resources
- repositoryPlace for storing things
- archiveStored historical records
- digital libraryElectronic collection of texts
- wikisGroup-edited web pages
open access · peer-to-peer · file sharing · redistribution · knowledge sharing · collaborative · downloadable · shareable
Ineligible for intellectual protection
- self-publishedReleased by the creator
- indieProduced outside majors
- amateurNonprofessional participant
- factsVerifiable pieces of truth
ideas · common knowledge · generic · utilitarian · public information · unprotectable
Enduring creative achievements
- ShakespeareElizabethan dramatist and poet
- BeethovenGerman classical music giant
- MozartEighteenth-century Austrian composer
- GutenbergPrinting press inventor's name
folk songs · folklore · traditional · historical works · ancient texts · unrenewed · public ownership
royalty-free
No per-use payments
- unlicensedWithout official permit
- unencumberedFree from hindrances
- unrestrictedHaving no limitations
permissive · open-source · copyleft · creative commons · GPL · freeware · shareware · libre · reusable · remixable
commons
Shared community resources
- repositoryPlace for storing things
- archiveStored historical records
- digital libraryElectronic collection of texts
wikis · open access · peer-to-peer · file sharing · redistribution · knowledge sharing · collaborative · downloadable · shareable
uncopyrightable
Ineligible for intellectual protection
- self-publishedReleased by the creator
- indieProduced outside majors
- amateurNonprofessional participant
facts · ideas · common knowledge · generic · utilitarian · public information · unprotectable
classic works
Enduring creative achievements
- ShakespeareElizabethan dramatist and poet
- BeethovenGerman classical music giant
- MozartEighteenth-century Austrian composer
Gutenberg · folk songs · folklore · traditional · historical works · ancient texts · unrenewed · public ownership
noncopyrightedcopyrighted
Legally owned creative work
protected · proprietary · trademarked · patented · licensed
copyright, copyrighted, copy, copied, copies, copying, copyist, right, rights