Works Published Before 1923

Any work published prior to January 1, 1923 is now in the public domain.  Works in the public domain can be copied without restriction.  Shakespeare, Dante, Jane Austen, and Mark Twain are now part of the common heritage of humankind--their works belong to no one and everyone. 

Note that particular performances, translations, editions, and commentaries may be covered by copyright although the originals are not.

Changes in copyright law have essentially "stopped the clock" for works published after 1923.  Some works published between 1923 and 1963 whose copyrights were not renewed passed into the public domain during the later years of the twentieth century.  However, the bulk of works will not begin passing into the public domain again on a regular basis until 2018, barring any further legislation.