If the compilation itself is original and creative:
* Yes, it can be in the public domain. If the creator of the compilation made original choices in how they arranged, selected, or presented the existing works (even if those works are copyrighted), the compilation itself might be eligible for copyright protection.
* However, the individual works within the compilation are still protected by copyright. This means you can't just copy the individual works from the compilation without permission from the copyright holders.
Examples:
* An anthology of poems: If the editor chose the poems, organized them, and wrote an introduction that makes the anthology unique, the anthology itself could be copyrighted. But you can't just reprint the individual poems without the poets' permission.
* A musical mixtape: The order of songs on the mixtape could be considered an original arrangement, potentially making it eligible for copyright. But you can't just download and share the individual songs without the musicians' permission.
If the compilation is simply a collection of existing works without any original arrangement or selection:
* No, it's unlikely to be in the public domain. This is because the compilation lacks the originality required for copyright protection.
* You can still copy and use individual works from the compilation if they are in the public domain. However, you need to be aware of the copyright status of each individual work.
Examples:
* A collection of public domain photographs: The act of simply putting the photos together isn't usually enough to make the collection itself copyrightable.
* A digital archive of public domain text: Again, simply gathering the texts together doesn't create a new work that's eligible for copyright.
In summary:
The copyright status of a compilation depends on the originality of the compilation itself, not just the works it contains. You should always check the copyright status of both the compilation and the individual works within it before using them.