Role of Scientific and Technical Data and Information in the Public Domain

From Symposium on the Role of Scientific and Technical Data and Information in the Public Domain:

"The body of scientific and technical data and information (STI)* in the public domain is massive and has contributed broadly to the economic, social, and intellectual vibrancy of our nation. The “public domain” may be defined in legal terms as sources and types of data and information whose uses are not restricted by statutory intellectual property laws or by other legal regimes, and that are accordingly available to the public for use without authorization. In recent years, however, there have been growing legal, economic, and technological pressures that restrict the creation and availability of public-domain information—scientific and otherwise. It is therefore important to review the role, value, and limits on public domain STI."