[Dixielandjazz] Tunes in public domain

[dwlit at cpcug.org]

A clue: The big Hal Leonard "Ultimate" fake books have the composer AND
copyright info. Don't know what they do for PD tunes.

--Sheik

> 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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