Copyright is right to make copies, license, and otherwise exploit a literary, musical, or artistic work, that is either a print, audio, or video. When you write music, your work is under copyright protection the moment it is created in a tangible form that it is perceptible either directly or with a machine or device. Copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, or pseudonyms work, the copyright lasts for a term of 120 years from the year of its creation. Having copyright to music or lyrics means that you have the right to make copies, license, and exploit the material. In the US, the current year for Public Domain music is 1922. The difference between public domain and proof of public domain is you can’t copy, rearrange, or publish music without a proof of the public domain.
•You cannot reproduce the music or lyrics
•You cannot distribute the music or lyrics either for free, for no profit, or for profit
•You cannot perform the music/lyrics in public
•You cannot play a recording of the music or lyrics in public – even if you own the CD
•You cannot make a derivative work or arrangement for public use of any form
The Chiffons recorded a song called “He’s So Fine” in 1962 and then moved under the Bright Tunes Music Corp label in 1971. George Harrison’s ‘My Sweet Lord’ was released January 15, 1971 and hit the charts on January 23, 1971 as George Harrison’s first solo single. It was released under the Apple label and enjoyed the number one spot originally for five weeks, then in 2002, again for one week. Then, on February 10th, 1971, Bright Tunes filed a suit against George Harrison inclusive of his English and American companies. George Harrison’s attorneys tried to describe difference between the two songs, but with little success. The judge found that George Harrison did not purposefully plagiarize the song, but two songs were essentially the same, only differing in note and chord. George Harrison was found guilty of subconscious plagiarism and a judgment was filed against him for $587,000.00.
http://copyright.gov/help/faq/
http://www.fairwagelawyers.com/most-famous-music-copyright-infringment.html
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