copyright laws usually protect owners of copyright beyond their lifetime. in some countries, such as canada and new zealand, works are protected for 50 years after the last living author dies. in other countries, like the united states and the european union, the protection lasts for 70 years after death. when the period of copyright protection has ended, the written document, musical composition, book, picture, or other creative work is in the public domain. this means that no one owns the copyright and everyone is free to copy, use and change them without having to ask for permission or pay the owner.