Protected?

Some works may not be protected by copyright because they are not eligible for copyright (such as works created by the U.S. federal government) or they are works that are considered part of the public domain.

Is the work protected by copyright?

NO

What is not protected:

Works created by U.S. federal government
Factual information
Simple shapes
"Unfixed" works

Examples:

Items protected by patents
Ideas, concepts, principles, discoveries
Titles, names, short phrases and slogans
Lists of ingredients or contents
Improvised speeches, music, or dances
Information that is factual in nature, such as the periodic table

YES

What is protected:

Creative and intellectual work
Fixed in a tangible medium of expression

Examples:

Literary works
Musical works, including accompanying words
Dramatic works, including accompanying music
Pantomimes and choreographic works
Pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works
Motion pictures and other audiovisual works
Sound recordings
Architectural works

Material in the public domain:

Material in the public domain can be freely used by anyone without having to seek permission or pay a fee. Material is in the public domain if:

The copyright has expired. You can use these public domain charts to determine if the copyright has expired on the material you wish to use.
The creator has expressly given up rights to the work. For example, images on Pixabay are licensed as CC0, which means that the creators have waived their copyrights and the images are now free for anyone to use for any purpose

If no...

If the material is not eligible for copyright or is in the public domain, you are free to use the material in any manner you wish.

If yes...

You may still be able to use the material. Move on to: Do you have authorization?

Google Sites

Report abuse