To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
  • a_f_hawkins
    Posts: 3,467
    Party 2 borrowed the book, presumably they were allowed to read it, including sounding the words. Party 1 withheld permission to write the words down, and were judged entitled to withhold permission, is that not an exercise of copyright? True, the ownership seems to go with owning the book not with originating the words, IP was not litigated AFAIK.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,215
    To add to an old thread: the copyright office now has images of their card catalog on line at https://vcc.copyright.gov/browse . The site is not really easy to navigate, but it's better than nothing, and so far the catalog they show for 1938-1945 only displays two registrations under the name of Msgr. Hellriegel, neither of them in 1941, and neither with the title of the hymn.

    This gives the appearance that the song was never registered for copyright and is likely to be in the public domain.
    Thanked by 1Liam
  • francis
    Posts: 10,818
    On hymnary.org

    438. To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King

    Text Information
    First Line: To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign king
    Title: To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King
    Author: Martin B. Hellriegel, 1891-1981
    Refrain First Line: Christ Jesus Victor!
    Language: English
    Publication Date: 1994
    Scripture: John 19; Revelation 19:12; Revelation 19:16
    Topic: Christ the King; Praise
    Copyright: © Assigned 1978 to Irene Moeller
    Tune Information
    Name: ICH GLAUB AN GOTT
    Meter: 87 87 with refrain
    Key: E♭ Major
    Source: Mainz Gesangbuch, 1870

    Apparently now claimed by Moeller
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