CC0 PDM comparison chart

See the CC0 FAQ and Public Domain Mark FAQ for further information about these public domain tools.

Features	Public Domain Mark	CC0 Public Domain Dedication
Nature of tool	Label for works already in the worldwide public domain	Tool that effectively places a work in the worldwide public domain
Who may use	Anyone with knowledge	Rights holder (“affirmer”)
Scope	Copyright, including all related and neighboring rights	Copyright, including all related and neighboring rights
Legal status of work to which tool may be applied	Any work that is already free of known copyright worldwide, including all neighboring and related rights NB: the PDM deed notes that moral rights may persist	Any work that is restricted by affirmer’s copyright or neighboring and related rights, in one or more jurisdiction(s)
Definition of related and neighboring rights	Not provided (PDM does not have accompanying legal code) NB: CC does not recommend PDM for use with databases that are unrestricted by copyright but are restricted by sui generis database rights	Yes, an illustrative and non exhaustive list of any and all such rights however characterized is contained in Section 1 of the CC0 legal code, and includes sui generis database rights
Person(s) whose rights are affected upon application of tool	None, PDM is not legally operative	Rights of the affirmer only; no effect on the right(s) of third parties
Rights affected upon application of tool	None, PDM is not legally operative	All of affirmer’s copyright and related and neighboring rights are unconditionally waived or licensed (where waiver is not effective)
Rights that may exist/persist after application	Moral and other related and neighboring rights that persist post-expiration of applicable copyright term (but note, PDM does not attempt to affect those rights)	Moral and other related and neighboring rights of affirmer that are not waivable or licensable Any and all third party rights
Effect on work itself upon application	None, PDM is not legally operative but instead labels a work already free of known copyright and related and neighboring rights through means such as expiration of term of applicable copyright term	Places work as closely as possible in the public domain, worldwide