copyright mumbo jumbo

[tashunka]

not totally sure but i think it's more like 100 years

[deadtilldawn]

Can anybody explain to me the concept of public domain? I am working on a film and would like to use old musical selections. I have heard that if it is over 25 years old it is considered public domain and I may use it without fear of copyright infringement. I am not to sure of that however. Any insights will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Nigel]

It is 75 years after the artists death(in the USA). However, a certain score performed by a group is protected under a new copyright. So Bach is in public domain, but a performance of his work by the Detroit Symphony is not. It gets very tricky and that is way there are lawyers out there that do nothing but this work. When in doubt get cleared music or original music. Good Luck email me if you have any questions.

[Actor]

Go to http://www.loc.gov/copyright/ for an overview of U.S. copyright law.

It used to be that anything first published more than 75 years ago was public domain and could be used by anyone. A recent change increased this to 95 years. As it now stands anything first published 27 Oct 1923 (75 years before the law was changed) is public domain. On 27 Oct 2018 (20 years after the law was changed) the clock will start again and anything first published more than 95 years ago will be public domain.

Works first published less than 75 years ago may still be public domain but the law is more complex. Go to the above web site for more information.

[Hanthx]

You can be sneaky if you are in school and state this is for educational purposes, but of course this limits your distribution. Just a thought.