What is orphan works?

Orphan works refer to creative works, such as books, films, or photographs, for which the copyright owner cannot be identified or located. This often occurs when the original creator has died, the work has been published without proper attribution, or the rights have been transferred without clear documentation. As a result, using or licensing these works can be legally challenging, leading to restrictions on their use in various contexts, including education and cultural preservation. Efforts to address the orphan works issue include establishing legal frameworks that allow for limited use under specific conditions.