Professional in Human Resources (PHR) Practice Exam

A work enters the public domain when copyright protection expires, which is generally 70 years after the author's death. This duration can vary depending on the specific circumstances, such as the type of work and the jurisdiction, but the standard for many works is indeed 70 years. Once a work is in the public domain, it can be freely used by anyone without needing to seek permission or pay royalties to the original creator.

The other scenarios do not typically lead to a work entering the public domain. For instance, a work does not automatically become public domain immediately upon creation; it is protected from the outset. The forfeiture of rights by the copyright owner, while possible, is not a standardized method for determining when a work enters the public domain, as it depends on the owner's decision rather than a statutory requirement. Additionally, government approval is not required for a work to enter the public domain; the expiration of copyright law regulates this transition. Thus, the correct understanding of when a work enters the public domain is tied closely to the expiration of copyright protections after a defined period.