Information (in the form of technology and software) that is generally accessible to the interested public in any form (e.g., published in any media available for general distribution; readily available in public or university libraries; released at an open conference, meeting, seminar, trade show, or other open gathering; or available to the general public on-line). Software and information is published when it is available for general distribution either for free or for a cost that does not exceed the cost of reproduction and distribution.
Types of publicly available information:
- Information legitimately and legally in the public domain
- Open Source Software (OSS)
- Educational Information (information commonly taught in colleges or universities)
- Patented Information (information contained in the approved patent application)
- Fundamental Research