What music recordings are in the public domain?

The recordings on the National Jukebox date from 1900 to 1925 and, under the Music Modernization Act, all sound recordings published prior to 1923 have entered the public domain effective on January 1, 2022.

Are sound recordings protected by copyright?

A copyright in a sound recording protects recorded musical, spoken, or other sounds that do not accompany an audiovisual work. Federal copyright protection of sound recordings has only been possible since 1972. Any recordings made before 1972 are subject to different provisions.

Can new recordings of public domain songs be separately copyrighted?

But because state copyright protection was ended with the 2018 Music Modernization Act, all recordings after 1922 are now protected under federal copyright law….USA Copyright Law for Sound Recordings.

Sound Recordings Enter the Public Domain
1923-1946 Release Year + 95 yrs + 5 yrs Ex: 1923 = 1923+95+5 = 2023 Ex: 1946 = 1946+95+5 = 2046

How do you know if a record is public domain?

If a work was published without a proper copyright notice, it entered the public domain. So sound recordings published between Jan. 1, 1978 and March 1, 1989 without a valid copyright notice on them may be in the public domain.

Are old recordings in public domain?

There are essentially NO Sound Recordings in the Public Domain in the USA. Sound Recordings Released in 1922 or Earlier Enter the Public Domain on January 1, 2022. The U. S. Congress passed the Music Moderization Act (“MMA”) in 2018 allowing sound recordings to begin entering the public domain in the USA in 1922.

Who owns the rights to a sound recording?

In general, the individual who writes or records an original song owns the copyright in the musical work or sound recording. So if only one person is involved in the writing and recording process, then that person owns the resulting copyrights.

What rights exist in a sound recording?

Generally, the owner of a sound recording does not have the exclusive right to publicly perform that work under the Copyright Act. However, the owner of a sound recording does have the exclusive right to publicly perform a sound recording by means of a digital audio transmission.

Is the sound of music public domain?

Licensing. This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1927 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice.

Is Frank Sinatra music public domain?

Many famous artists, such as Frank Sinatra, have produced versions of the song since its original production. And, the majority of these newer adaptations are not yet public domain.

How long are sound recordings protected by copyright?

95 years
The federal remedies for unauthorized use of pre-1972 sound recordings shall be available for 95 years after first publication of the recording, ending on December 31 of that year, subject to certain additional periods.

How long until a recording becomes public domain?

Once a copyright is created, protection generally lasts for 70 years after the death of the author and in some cases 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation. That’s a long time! After that time, the copyright protection ceases and the underlying work becomes public domain.

Are sound recordings in the public domain?

The U.S. government cannot hold any copyrights, so sound recordings made by the federal government can potentially be in the public domain. Some individuals have made sound recordings and placed them in the public domain. And because state law is so varied, there are pre-1972 recording that might be PD in one state or one county or one city.

When will pre-1923 sound recordings enter the US public domain?

Not only will all pre-1923 sound recordings enter the US public domain in 2022, recordings from 1923 will enter in 2023, those from 1924 in 2024, and so on, up to and including 2046.

When does a song go into the public domain?

Recordings released in 1957 thru February 15, 1972 enter the public domain February 15, 2067. from recording date, whichever is shorter. A summary of the 2018 MMA is on the Copyright Office website.

When did sound recordings become protected by copyright?

But the Copyright Act of 1976 and the Sonny Bono Copyright Extension Act left copyright protection for sound recordings fixed or published before February 15, 1972, remaining under state law until 2068. The 2018 Music Modernization Act finally placed all sound recordings under federal copyright protection.