Legal Definitions - publici juris

Publici Juris refers to something that is considered to be of public right, available for public use, or belonging to the public domain. It signifies something that cannot be exclusively owned or appropriated by a private individual or entity because it is deemed a common good or universally accessible.

• Example 1: Expired Copyright on a Literary Work

  After the copyright on a classic novel, such as F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, expires, the work becomes publici juris.

  This means that anyone can publish, adapt, or create new works based on The Great Gatsby without needing permission from an author or publisher, or paying royalties. The story and its characters are freely available for public use and enjoyment, as they have entered the public domain.

• Example 2: Navigable Coastal Waters

  The open ocean and navigable coastal waters are considered publici juris.

  This implies that these bodies of water are open for public use, including navigation, fishing, and recreation, by all citizens. No single private entity or individual can claim exclusive ownership or control over these waters, preventing others from accessing or utilizing them for legitimate purposes.

• Example 3: Generic Scientific Principles

  Fundamental scientific principles, such as the laws of thermodynamics or the theory of relativity, are publici juris.

  These foundational concepts and discoveries cannot be patented or copyrighted by an individual or corporation. They are considered universal knowledge, freely available for anyone to study, apply, and build upon for further research and innovation, benefiting the entire scientific community and public.