The goal of the work is to study the legislative process and reveal the features of the legal concept of the European Union regulatory framework regarding public domain works in the context of the preservation and use of cultural heritage in the GLAM sector against the backdrop of modern technological democratization and openness. Researchmethods. To achieve the set goals, a set of general scientific approaches was used - theoretical (analysis, generalization,synthesis) and empirical (review of electronic sources, study of the results of activities) research methods. The scientific novelty lies in the identification of effective approaches to the implementation of the provisions of the DSM Directive on the protection and access to the public domain in cultural heritage institutions in the national legislationof the countries of the European Union, ways to create an agreed regime of legal assistance for the preservation and access to these works, increase the level of legal security for the sector GLAM in the performance of its functions. Conclusions. The DSM Directive and its Article 14, which is intended to establish effective measures for access and re-use of the public domain, does not guarantee the right of users to freely use any material resulting from the faithful reproduction of works or other protected objects, since it applies only to works of fine art and requires so that these works are no longer protected by copyright and taken out of the public domain. The implementation of these rules doesnot allow the GLAM sector to establish additional modes of reproduction rights for public domain collections, but doesnot restrict institutions from generating revenue through commercial use.