copyright of old scores
When transcribing an old music piece for example the copyright is 1901 by The John Church Company. I have researched this piece that I am transcribing to learn that is is no longer in print and is public domain. This is a choir piece we used to sing in our parish some years ago.
http://imslp.org/wiki/O_salutaris_Hostia_in_E-flat_major_(Browne,_John_…
So I am curious how to show the copyright on the transcribed piece? Any advice would be appreciated.
Comments
As per https://musopen.org/composer/john-lewis-browne/ John Lewis Browne died in 1933, so in 2003, 70 years after his death, his copyright ended.
St. Thomas Acquinas, the texter is dead much longer, so no copyright there either.
In 1901 though, when that score got published, the copyright still existed.
At least that's my understanding.
In reply to As per by Jojo-Schmitz
All American copyrights from 1923 or earlier are expired. We had our own rules until then.
In reply to All American copyrights from by mike320
"We had our own rules until then" What does that mean?
In reply to "We had our own rules until by Don9of11
In 1923 we adopted international copyright laws. Anything copyright in the US prior to 1923 was not grandfathered, that is the 50 years after death rule did not apply to pre-1923 publications.
In reply to In 1923 we adopted by mike320
I'm still not clear what that means although it sounds like anything from 1923 and before is public domain, correct?
The publisher John Church Co., was acquired by Theodore Presser Co., around 1930. So I found a website for Theodore Presser Music and sent a email inquiry and learned that this piece is no longer in print. They in turn referred me to their Eastman School of Music Archive to which I sent an inquiry and they don't have a copy of it either but did inform me that because this is pre-1923 it now is public domain.
I suppose at this point I could put the 1901 copyright by the John Church Co., simply as a historical courtesy. But should there be anything else? I'm not looking to sell it or anything, I just wanted a better legible copy for the choir.
In reply to I'm still not clear what that by Don9of11
US law considers anything prior to 1923 public domain.
Song books often have lyricist and date along with composer and date in the composer and arranger locations in scores. For copyright you can put include a public domain note.
"Rule of Thumb for Public Domain Music and Sound Recordings
Musical Works published with a valid Copyright Notice of 1922 or Earlier are in the public domain in the United States.
Essentially ALL Sound Recordings are under copyright protection until 2067 in the United States.
Copyright protection outside the USA is determined by the laws of the country where you wish to use a work. Copyright protection may be 50 to 70 years after the death of the last surviving author, 95 years from publication date, or other copyright protection term."
(http://www.pdinfo.com/copyright-law/copyright-and-public-domain.php)
Hope this helps.
In reply to "Rule of Thumb for Public by monkframe
More from the same site:
United States Copyright Duration for Musical Works
The current duration of copyright protection for published Musical Works in the USA as follows:
Works Published Before 1923 Maximum Copyright Protection of 75 years has Expired Works are in the Public Domain
Works Published 1923 thru 1978 Maximum Copyright Protection
of 95 Years from Year Published 1923 and Later Works Begin Entry to Public Domain on 1/1/2019
Works Published
After 1978 Life of the Longest Surviving
Author plus 70 years Earliest Possible PD date is 1/1/2049
Until 1998, the maximum copyright protection for works published before 1978 was 75 years; therefore, compositions registered in 1922 or earlier entered the public domain on 1/1/1998. The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act was signed into law on October 27, 1998, and increased maximum copyright protection to 95 years for works published 1923 thru 1978. But the 1998 copyright extension did not extend copyright protection from 75 to 95 years for songs already in the public domain so . . ."
So we can thank Sonny Bono for extending the life of copyrights to longer than our own!