1930's Jimmie Rodgers song - Public Domain?

Gonzo_Entertainment

• Jun 27, 2012

• #2

Hmmmm... if BMI nor ASCAP know anything about it there is a good chance it's public domain (the lyrics and music composition). There is ZERO chance the recording is though because NO recordings are public domain for several more years, I think 2014.

 

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knightly

• Jun 27, 2012

• #3

How old do recordings have to be to be considered public domain?

http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm

There's a whole section on recordings down a bit form the top.

 

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FrankLad

• Jun 27, 2012

• #4

Gonzo: Good point about lyrics+comp vs. recording. Though an initial hunt for record company to secure permission has also been unfruitful.

I got pretty optimistic after seeing several other songs of his from that era listed as Public Domain.

knightly: Thank you! Trying to comprehend this now...

 

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knightly

• Jun 27, 2012

• #5

I think it mostly depends on what the laws were when the recording was made if I read that correctly (not a lawyer!).

 

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FrankLad

• Jun 28, 2012

• #6

I decided to go with a different song, recorded in 1927. This one is reportedly Public Domain / No Rights Reserved.

http://archive.org/details/JimmieRodgers-SleepBabySleep

As a bonus the quality is poor, which is exactly what I'm after.

 

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