Which hymns are public domain

Keep in mind that the following often-given excuses for illegally copying hymns or songs will not hold up in court:. None of the above will legally keep you from paying a fine if you are caught.

In certain limited cases, for certain hymns, numbers 1 and 2 may allow you to legally reproduce portions of the hymns never choral, instrumental, handbell, or other arrangements, however. Numbers are never reasons for you to feel free to use copyrighted material without permission. It is always your responsibility to make certain your use is within the law. As churches have moved to offering more online worship services, the questions keep coming in as to what is legal to stream and what is not.

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By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here. Subscribe Store About Contact Us. Blog eLearning Calendar Content Library. July 26, 26 July Jul. Hymns, Public Domain, and Copyright When does a hymn become public domain?

For works created after January 1, , copyright lasts until 70 years after the author dies. For works for hire created after January 1, , copyright duration is 95 years from publication or years from creation, whichever is shorter. For works created before January 1, , but not published or registered by that date, copyright will be the same as for works created after January 1, However, in no case will the copyright for these works expire before December 31, ; and for works published before December 31, , the expiration will not be before December 31, For works created and published or registered before January 1, , the original copyright was for a first term of 28 years.

During the 28th year, the copyright was eligible for renewal for a second term of 28 years. However, the law extended the second renewal term to 47 years. If a copyright holder failed to renew for the second term, however, the copyright period would end after the first 28 years. The amendment to the Copyright Act further extended the renewal term of copyrights still existing on October 27, , for an additional 20 years, thus giving all music protected by copyright on that date a total of 95 years protection from their original copyright date.

Public Law , enacted on June 26, , automatically renewed the original term of copyrights secured between January 1, , and December 31, Thus, for works copyrighted within this period, even if the copyright holder failed to renew the second term, renewal was granted; and the full 95 years protection is applied. Two Examples Let's consider an example. If the copyright had not been renewed, it would have entered the public domain after its first year period of protection after However, the copyright for this hymn was renewed in by Hope Publishing.

Under the old law, its copyright would have expired after the second year period; that is, after But because of the law, the copyright extends an additional 19 years, for a total of 75 years, until after And because of the amendment to the law, protection is extended an additional 20 years. Bob Womack. Also, be aware of "derivative works". If a tune has lapsed into public domain and is then rearranged, the new arranger can copyright his arrangement.

Find all posts by Bob Womack. Originally Posted by Bob Womack. As a wonderful example, the classic Trinity Hymnal navy blue was compiled from arrangements for four voices in the four classic ranges.

People complained that the voicings were too high. No problem! The Orthodox Pres brought in an arranger to literally split the same bass lines across an octave ugg! Thus was born the New Trinity Hymnal bright red and a new derivative copyright! Well, this for me has been a very useful thread. We have a real mix-contemporary, ancient middle-ages , and in between. A TON of well-known hymnody was penned during the first and second "great revivals.

We don't usually have any worries about corporate worship. It is when you get into people recording them--and burning CD's for sale, you will likely get the litigation people riled up. All I know is we are fine with paying CCLI a modest licensing fee, and depending on our published hymnals to have taken care of the rest.

Wonder if anyone last century thought churches would be SUED for using praise music??? Originally Posted by Folkstrum. Find all posts by preston. All times are GMT The time now is AM. User Name. Remember Me? Mark Forums Read. Page 1 of 2. Thread Tools. PorkPieGuy Registered User. Join Date: Nov Posts: 8, Visit PorkPieGuy's homepage! Quote: How old do hymns need to be in order to be public domain? Find all posts by drcmusic7. Folkstrum Registered User.

Join Date: Apr Posts: 8,