• It is a photograph or work of applied art and 50 years have passed since the date of its creation (created prior to January 1, 1975) or it was published prior to January 1, 1987 (see {{PD-Algeria-photo-except}})
• It is a collective, pseudonymous, anonymous, posthumous or audiovisual work and 50 years have passed since the date of its publication (published prior to January 1, 1975)
• It is another type of work and 50 years have elapsed since the the year of death of the author (or last-surviving author) (author died prior to January 1, 1975)

In order to be hosted on Commons, all works must be in the public domain in the United States as well as in their source country. The copyright of all Algerian photographs and works of applied art published prior to 1948 had expired in Algeria on the date of restoration (April 19, 1998) pursuant to the provisions of Article 60 of the defunct Ordinance No. 97-10 of 6 March 1997 which was in effect at the time. Such works are thus currently in the public domain in the United States.