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Copyright and Fair Use

Use this guide as a starting point for copyright education. Reach out to libcopyright@boisestate.edu for more information. Nothing in this guide is legal advice.

How to Use This Page

Below are introductory guidelines and select resources for public domain content. 

Questions or suggestions for further content? Contact scholarworks@boisestate.edu

Online Search Tips

A search engine is a good place to start to find public domain content. Here are some tips to help with your search and to accurately identify what is or is not in the public domain.

  • add "public domain" to your search
  • determine the origin of the image to ensure authority
  • check for attribution requirements

It is important to read the descriptions and metadata to determine use parameters. Reliable resources include details about the content, including author, publication, date, and other information. To determine whether content is available for public use, look for phrases such as:

  • no known restrictions on copyright
  • creative commons licenses
  • use is not restricted by copyright or related rights
  • non-commercial use only
  • in the public domain