Copyright

This is a brief guide to the U.S. laws with reference to copyright for music. European Union laws are broadly similar. This guide is by no means comprehensive and it is recommended that you should carry out further research if you are at all unsure whether an item of music is still subject to copyright.

In the US the general rule for a work that was created after 1st January 1978, is that copyright protection will last for the lifetime of the author plus a further 70 years. For example:

A composer who created work "A" on 30th June 1980 and died on 1st May 1990.
Work "A" will be covered by copyright until 1st May 2060.

Copyrights in effect on 1st January 1978, if renewed, continue for 95 years from the date copyright was originally secured. Renewal was automatic for works that first obtained U.S. copyright in 1964 or later. For example:

A composer who created work "B" on 30th June 1950.
From the 1st January 1978, the copyright for Work "B" can be renewed so that it will now be covered by copyright until 30th June 2045.

Useful links:

Giltrex Ltd.

Copyright