In some countries, that might be the case. However, in Germany (where I live), there is no way to have something “not copyrighted”. The author holds the copyright unless explicitly licensed. (Here’s where the CC0 comes in handy, but the CC licenses weren’t made for software…)
Our § 29 UrhG explicitly denies the possibility to give up your copyright before your death. Austria has similar laws. So no, nothing is “public domain” in Germany.
(edit:) See also this discussion on Hacker News for broader details.
In some countries, that might be the case. However, in Germany (where I live), there is no way to have something “not copyrighted”. The author holds the copyright unless explicitly licensed. (Here’s where the CC0 comes in handy, but the CC licenses weren’t made for software…)
Our § 29 UrhG explicitly denies the possibility to give up your copyright before your death. Austria has similar laws. So no, nothing is “public domain” in Germany.
(edit:) See also this discussion on Hacker News for broader details.