public domain
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Case Law, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910)
Definitions from Case Law
From 376 U.S. 225 - Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Stiffel Co. · 1964Most cited · 1,719 citing opinions
An unpatentable article, like an article on which the patent has expired, is in the public domain and may be made and sold by whoever chooses to do so.
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In its most general sense, all landed property owned by the public. In peculiar context it has been limited to unappropriated public lands. 68 Tex. 547. which belongs to the public generally, and not to the owner of a particular dominant estate.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
This term embraces all lands, the title to which is in the United States, including as well land occupied for the purposes of federal buildings, arsenals, dock-yards, etc., as land of an agricultural or mineral character not yet granted to private owners. Barker v. Harvey, 181 U. 'S. 481, 21 Sup. Ct. 690, 45 I Ed. 963 ; Day Land & Cattle Co. v. State, 68 Tex. 526, 4 S. W. 865.
Defined under Domain in Black's Law Dictionary.