[Dixielandjazz] Tunes in public domain

[billsharp]

I'll bet that many of you have been down this road before (especially 
in this newsletter) and that therefore, as is always the case, there 
are several experts out there on the matter - - - -
Here's my question:  "Is that a definitive place where we can find out 
exactly which tunes are in public domain?"

When ASCAP is contacted, they  refer the issue on to the Harry Fox 
Agency, and they will tell you that a tune like "Alexander's Ragtime 
Band"  is copyrighted, even though what they are talking about about is 
some particular arrangement of the tune, recorded in the last 20 years 
or so.

Fox will definitely NOT give you a straight answer.  They are far too 
busy trying to collect all the money that they can lay their hands on.

Because of our litigious society, any Cd company to whom you send in 
your recently recorded songs are very cautious, and will not duplicate 
anything until you sign documents indicating who has legal property 
rights to the tune.

This I can understand when the tunes are in fact covered by copyright 
laws, but I think that at least half of the tunes we have recorded are 
easily out of copyright.  Where can I found out on my own?

Bill Sharp