Can OSI specify that public domain is open source?

[Karl Fogel]

Rick Moen <rick at linuxmafia.com> writes:
>It is also _obviously_ true by the
>essential definition of that legal concept (again, assuming source code
>access and lack of patent or other legal problems); so, there's not a
>lot of point in OSI saying it.

You'd think so, but I see it asked by otherwise knowledgeable people all
the time :-).

My main motivation in having OSI clarify this, in our FAQ or somewhere,
is U.S. government works, since there are an increasing number of them
being open sourced.

-K