Los trabajos en el dominio público deben haber expirado su copyright en los Estados Unidos y en el país de origen para ser subidos a Commons. Si el trabajo no es un trabajo estadounidense, el archivo debe tener una marca de derechos de autor adicional indicando el estatus del copyright del país de origen.
It is an anonymous work or pseudonymous work and 50 years have passed since the date of its publication (or creation, whatever date is the latest)
It is a photographic work, and 50 years have passed since the date of its creation
It is another kind of work, and 50 years have passed since the year of death of the author (or last surviving author)
It is one of "official texts of legislative, administrative or legal nature and their official translations"
Before July 5, 2009, a photographic work was protected for 25 years. Pictures created before July 5, 1984 have already been placed into the public domain.