Copyright
What does public domain mean for audio?
October 31, 2026 • 3 min read
What public domain means
Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright, so they can generally be used without permission. Copyright terms differ between countries, so a work can be public domain in one place but not another.
Music has more than one layer
A musical composition and a recording of it can have separate rights. A very old piece of music may be public domain, while a modern recording of someone performing it is still protected.
Check your source
Look for a reliable source that explains why the recording is public domain, and keep a note of it. This article is general information, not legal advice.