View Full Version : What's copyrighted?
hellindc
Nov-19-2007, 12:04am
Is there a data base of traditional American music -- blues, folk, etc.? Our band wants to record some old blues and similar tunes, but I'm not sure to how to find out whether a particular title is in the public domain or not.
Thanks in advance for help.
bradeinhorn
Nov-19-2007, 12:25am
check with the copyright office website. or run a public domain search. google should be helpful.
Shalebot
Nov-19-2007, 12:51am
I'm not sure if that kind of stuff would be on BMI / ASCAP / SESAC's lists (there are a bunch of lesser companies that I can't think of right now that might be more associated with folksier music), but I'd guess that the stuff you're after is probably public domain.
bradeinhorn
Nov-19-2007, 6:51am
I'm not sure if that kind of stuff would be on BMI / ASCAP / SESAC's lists (there are a bunch of lesser companies that I can't think of right now that might be more associated with folksier music), but I'd guess that the stuff you're after is probably public domain.
i wouldn't assume that. you'd be surprised what is not public domain. like that happy birthday song for example.
The official position of the US Copyright office is if you aren't sure a piece is not copyrighted you should assume it is.
The Public Domain Information Project is a very good place to start. http://www.pdinfo.com/
Curtis
Nov-19-2007, 7:38am
75 years after the composers death all work becomes public domain.
Most tunes and songs have some type of copyright on them. Either someone took credit for writing it or there are a bunch of arrangements copywrited.
TeleMark
Nov-19-2007, 8:05am
Don't forget that thanks to the fine folks at Disney (amongst others) Copyright grows like Topsy. As we get closer to large companies like the Mouse House losing their copyright (to stories that are in the public domain... Ah, irony...), expect this time period to get longer.
The Harry Fox Agency handles mechanical licenses for about 95% of all tunes. That's what you need to record something legally You can find out all about this at http://www.harryfox.com/public/FAQ.jsp.
HogTime
Nov-19-2007, 11:15am
Here's an interesting table re copyrights. Sure a bunch of different cases!
Copyright Rules Table (http://www.copyright.cornell.edu/public_domain/)
farmerjones
Nov-19-2007, 1:35pm
Ditto - Harry Fox should be your first stop.
Theoretically, works prior to 1920, but . . . . .
hellindc
Nov-19-2007, 4:13pm
Thanks to everyone. I'll check out those resources named.