Which item would not be copyrighted?

Which item would not be copyrighted?

• A. A work in the public domain
• B. A painting
• C. A novel
• D. A song

Answer: (A)

Copyright protects original works fixed in a tangible form. If a work is in the public domain, copyright protection has expired or never attached, so it can be used freely by anyone. That makes a work in the public domain the item that would not be copyrighted. In contrast, a painting, a novel, or a song, created by an author and not yet in the public domain, are typically protected by copyright, restricting use without permission. The idea is that public domain status removes the copyright protection, while the others are usually covered unless specific exemptions apply.

Copyright protects original works fixed in a tangible form. If a work is in the public domain, copyright protection has expired or never attached, so it can be used freely by anyone. That makes a work in the public domain the item that would not be copyrighted. In contrast, a painting, a novel, or a song, created by an author and not yet in the public domain, are typically protected by copyright, restricting use without permission. The idea is that public domain status removes the copyright protection, while the others are usually covered unless specific exemptions apply.