[Dixielandjazz] Tunes in public domain

[Daniel Augustine]

     One place to start looking is http://www.pdinfo.com/list.php
Dan
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From: billsharp <sharp-b at clearwire.net>
Date: January 24, 2009 8:45:17 PM CST
To: ds.augustine at mail.utexas.edu
Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Tunes  in public domain

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
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**  Dan Augustine  --  Austin, Texas  --  ds.augustine at mail.utexas.edu
**     "I always keep a supply of stimulant handy in case I see a
**      snake, which I also keep handy." -- W. C. Fields
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