What happens if I use a work that is already in the public domain?

Do you wish to digitise and make publicly accessible an out-of-commerce work that is in the public domain? A licence is not required for out-of-commerce works in the public domain, as there is no (longer any) copyright in place. These works can be used without limitation.
However, as with other works, licence applications can also be submitted and granted for out-of-commerce works in the public domain as long as these meet the necessary criteria. The institution submitting the application must decide whether or not to check if a work is in the public domain before applying for a licence.