Refers to the status of a work having no copyright protection and, therefore, belonging to the world. When a work is “in” or has “fallen into” public domain, it means it is available for unrestricted use by anyone. Permission and/or payment are not required for use. Except with respect to certain foreign-originated works eligible for restoration of copyright, once a work falls into the public domain ("PD"), it can never be recaptured by the owner.