About U.S. Government Works
United States government creative works, including writing, images, and computer code, are usually prepared by officers or employees of the United States government as part of their official duties. A government work is generally not subject to copyright in the United States and there is generally no copyright restriction on reproduction, derivative works, distribution, performance, or display of a government work. Unless the work falls under an exception, anyone may, without restriction under U.S. copyright laws:
- Reproduce the work in print or digital form
- Create derivative works
- Perform the work publicly
- Display the work
- Distribute copies or digitally transfer the work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending