Public domain

An intellectual work that is eligible for copyright passes into the public domain when that copyright expires, is released, or is not properly perfected. An intellectual work in the public domain may be freely copied by anyone.
Some intellectual works pass into the public domain upon creation, such as court decisions. However, all copyrights eventually pass into the public domain, although that presently takes a long period of time on average. However, most works from the 19th century are all in the public domain.
US public domain law: the copyright of a work is expired in usually 95 years (probably going to get extended because of companies like disney wanting to protect mickey mouse); in more detail 70 years after the authors death, corporate works take 95 years after publication or 120 years after creation.
Japan public domain law: 70 years after the authors death (more to be added later)
Canada's public domain law: if a country has a copyright term that is less than 50 years, say 30 years, then the work will be in the public domain in Canada after 30 years. If you wish to use a work that originated in a country that has not signed the Berne Convention, then you should seek permission from the copyright holder. (source).
Category:Intellectual property law