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Copyright at the MSU Library

General guidelines for copyright

Montana State University

Information in this Library Guide is for general information only.  For legal advice, contact MSU's Office of Legal Counsel.  Legal Counsel also has a website for Guidelines for Classroom Copying of Books and Periodicals.

Public Domain & Copyright in the U.S.

Public domain applies to works that are not under copyright protection so permission from the creator is not needed.  Works in the public domain may be used freely.  The chart at the Cornell Copyright Information Center, linked below, provides information about when works enter the public domain.

Permission to use this information granted by Peter Hirtle at the Cornell Copyright Information Center.