The phrase "public ownership" means that something, like a company or an asset, is owned or controlled by the government or the people in a country instead of being owned by individuals or private entities. Full definition
There is an inherent conflict with public ownership of legal firms. (otlablog.com)
Taking the railway back into public ownership would take money from the poor and give it to the better off. (politics.co.uk)
In addition, a small number of important collections that are not in public ownership nor normally open to the public are also being included. (museumpublicity.com)