The Public Domain ensures that the principles of Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ('Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.') can be fully enjoyed by everyone across the world.

In order to increase public awareness about such concepts and potentialities for spreading knowledge and culture, today COMMUNIA, the European Thematic Network on the Digital Public Domain, announces the launch of the Public Domain Manifesto (http://www.publicdomainmanifesto.org).

The document outlines a series of general principles (opening with: the Public Domain is the rule, copyright protection is the exception) along with various issues relevant to today's Public Domain, and provides some recommendations aimed at protecting the Public Domain and ensuring that it can continue to function in a meaningful way-with particular relevance to education, cultural heritage and scientific research.

The Public Domain Manifesto reinforces the recent Public Domain Day (1. January 2010) initiatives and is already available in several languages with more translations underway, also featuring dozens of initial signers-both ndividuals and organizations worldwide. Everyone is encouraged to sign it, to follow our Facebook page and to spread the word!

For more information:
- Public Domain Manifesto website: http://www.publicdomainmanifesto.org
- Public Domain Manifesto Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/The-Public-Domain-Manifesto/448...
- Public Domain Day website: http://www.publicdomainday.org