Photocopying Purchased Music the Copyright expired
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 606
    Hello,

    Is it permissible to purchase one copy of music that is in the public domain (in Canada), but not available for free yet, and make multiple copies of it?

    It’s not my responsibility to purchase or supply music, but planning for worst case scenario situations nice whomever is, hasn’t yet and hasn’t told us when/if we’ll get it.
  • GerardH
    Posts: 620
    If it's not under copyright it may be freely copied
    Thanked by 2SponsaChristi Andrew_Malton
  • PaxMelodious
    Posts: 469
    Depending on the laws in your country (I cannot speak for Canada) you may need consider separately the copyright status of:

    1) the tune (and the arrangement)
    2) the words
    3) the specific engraving.
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 606
    Depending on the laws in your country (I cannot speak for Canada) you may need consider separately the copyright status of:

    1) the tune (and the arrangement)
    2) the words
    3) the specific engraving.


    It’s definitely in the public domain in Canada. The complete score is on IMSLP, but I need the SATB score. As much as I enjoy putting my cutting, taping and Xeroxing skills to use, I’d prefer to just have the fully intact SATB score, as would other members of my section.
  • GerardH
    Posts: 620
    Good point Pax. Point 3 is particularly worth considering. I know that where I am, typesetting can be copyrighted for 25 years. Canada may be different
  • SponsaChristi
    Posts: 606
    Good point Pax. Point 3 is particularly worth considering. I know that where I am, typesetting can be copyrighted for 25 years. Canada may be different

    All the typesettings I can find are from 1948. They’re not copyrighted.
    Thanked by 1GerardH
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