Copyright

Copyright does not last forever. Eventually, all works enter the public domain, meaning they can be freely used, copied, and shared without permission.

In the United States, this generally means:

• 📅 Works published before 1929 are in the public domain
• 🗂️ Government publications created by federal employees are usually public domain
• 📜 Some creators dedicate their works to the public domain using licenses like CC0

💡 Tip: When in doubt, check the copyright date or use a reliable lookup tool.

Just because a work is old doesn’t mean it’s in the public domain.

• ⚠️ Some copyrights were renewed, so works from the 1930s–1960s may still be protected
• 📽️ Restorations and new editions often carry their own copyright protections
• 🔒 Sound recordings are governed by special rules and may remain protected longer than books or films

💡 Tip: Use official sources to verify copyright status.

Royalty-free content is not the same as public domain. You don’t have to pay each time you use it, but it still has rules.

• ✅ You may need to purchase a license or subscription (like for stock photo sites)
• ✅ Use is often limited by the number of views, copies, or platforms
• ✅ Educational use isn’t automatically permitted; always check the terms

💡 Tip: Don’t assume “royalty-free” means “free to use however you want.” Read the fine print.

Looking for content you can freely use in class, online, or in presentations? This page links to collections of royalty-free and public domain materials: images, sounds, literature, and more. These are especially helpful when:

• You want to avoid copyright complications
• You need background visuals or media for lectures or student projects
• You’re creating OER or online learning content

💡 Tip: Public domain means the content is no longer (or never was) under copyright. “Royalty-free” often means the creator has waived fees or licenses for specific types of use—but check any terms or attribution requests.

Not sure whether a work is in the public domain or royalty-free? Need help interpreting license terms?

The NWACC Library can help you:

• ✅ Evaluate sources and terms of use
• ✅ Recommend safe and appropriate materials for your course
• ✅ Suggest collections or databases for teaching content