[Dixielandjazz] Copyright discussion

[Creole Dixieland Jazz Band]

----- Original Message -----
From: David Palmquist
To: dixielandjazz@ml.islandnet.com
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 6:48 PM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Copyright discussion

Rocky asked:

Re: [Dixielandjazz] Copyright discussion
...However... the REAL QUESTION OKOM bands want answered is when is the LAST
YEAR that a composition could have been published and have "missed the boat"
for extensions under all current laws? What fell out of protection before
these newer copyright laws were revised or changed?  Any ideas if there is a
safe area? or safe date? or dividing line? or must
every song be researched?...

This is from Circular 15t on the US site:
"·      A work published before January 1, 1964, and originally copyrighted
within the past 75 years may still be protected by copyright if a valid
renewal registration was made during the 28th year of the first term of the
copyright. If renewed and if still valid under the other provisions of the
law, the copyright will now expire 95 years from the end of the year in
which it was first secured. Works published before January 1, 1923, have
fallen into the public domain, but works published after that date could
still be protected by copyright if the copyright was renewed by registration
or automatically by law under Public Law 102-307."

David in Delta

======================

Thank you, David. Your help and insite is much appreciated. Now, for the
final challenge: How to find out if the original 28-year copyright was
indeed renewed. The Harry Fox Agency seems to indicate that there is a
copyright on virtually everything. Their site is misleading in that it does
not differentiate between song copyrights and arrangement copyrights.
Furthermore, they certainly don't indicate that any songs had original
copyrights that did NOT renew after the first 28 years. (Surely, there were
many that did not renew and, therefore, would not require a mechanical
license now -- but they sure don't tell you that.)

So, finally, everyone, is there a way to find out if that original copyright
did renew or not?

Are we havin' fun yet?

Thanks again.

Dave
=======================
"It's a treat to beat your feet."
The Creole Dixieland Jazz Band
Dave Gravatt
417-581-5626
www.CreoleJazz.com