When is International Domain Day?

Sunday January 1st

International Public Domain Day, January 1st, commemorates authors who died many years ago and their remaining works in the public domain. People also observe the demise of copyrights and the emergence of new works that have entered the public domain on this day.

International Public Domain Day stamp image

Original works are protected by a copyright. The copyright is owned by the individual who made it. The aim of a copyright is to prevent the work from being stolen by others. A copyright also prohibits an unlawful individual from using the system. Literary, graphic, architectural, dramatic, and audiovisual are all examples of works that have a copyright. Copyright rights are also covered for sound recordings.

These copyrights will eventually expire. The author's life spans copyright coverage for works created after January 1, 1978 to the present day, plus an additional 70 years. Copyright protection laws in different countries differ. The copyright for works published in 1925 or earlier will expire in the United States as of January 1, 2021. F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" and Irving Berlin's "Always" are two of these works.

When is World Book and Copyright Day? When copyright coverage expires, the work enters the public domain. This means that musicians, writers, and other artists can use works in the public domain to help create new ones. For example, a songwriter could use words to a hymn written many years ago in a new song they're writing. When some of the best works of the past are revived and brought to life once more, it's truly a commemoration. Education is also more affordable, and it helps to save the past for future generations. The public domain also helps to preserve the past for future generations.