Final answer:
Works in the public domain can be replicated without the author's permission, and this includes reproducing, distributing, and performing the work publicly. Fair use, work-for-hire, and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office protections still require permission for replication. Hence, the correct answer is option A.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of work that can be replicated without the author's permission is works in the public domain. Once a copyright has expired, and the work falls into the public domain, anyone can reproduce the work in copies or phonorecords, prepare derivative works based upon the work, distribute copies or phonorecords of the work to the public, and perform the work publicly without needing to seek permission or pay royalties. This is one of the reasons why public domain works can be freely used for education, research, and other purposes.
In contrast, works protected under the fair use provision may only be used without permission to a limited extent, typically for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Work-for-hire situations involve works where the hiring party, not the individual creator, owns the copyright, but permission may still be required for replication outside the scope of employment. As for works protected under the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, permissions are needed as these are different forms of intellectual property protection entirely.