ded·i·ca·tion /ˌde-di-'kā-shən/ n: a giving up of property to public use that precludes the owner from asserting any further interest in it: as
a: an intentional donation of land for public use that is accepted by the proper public authorities
b: intentional or negligent surrender to the public of intellectual property that could have been protected by copyright or patent
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.