Public Domain

Definition

• This term refers to works which have expired or non-existing copyrights. Essentially, this means that people can do what they want with the work without permission, and without breaking any laws.

Which Hymns Are Public Domain?

• Generally, a hymn is in the public domain if it was published on or before 1923.
• If it was published before 1 January 1978 without a legal copyright notice, it is also considered public domain.
  • Note that contributions to collective works need not have the notice to retain the copyright if the collection itself has the copyright notice - provided the contributions are copyrighted by the same person (otherwise, the copyright notice is erroneous for such contributions). See http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ03.html
• Items published after 1 March 1989 do not need this notice to retain a copyright.
• Items published between 1 January 1978 and 1 March 1989 without the notice may or may not have had their copyrights restored (depending on whether the omission was fixed). Be 100% sure you have the rights to do so before posting anything.

What is an official copyright notice?

• First note that these are not required on modern works for the copyright to be retained, though this is still required for several works published before 1 March 1989 (and it seems all sheet music published before 1 January 1978).

The appropriate symbol, word or abbreviation along with the year of first publication and the name of the owner of the copyright (this name may be an abbreviation or an alternate designation of the owner).

• this symbol: ©
• this word: Copyright
• this abbreviation of the above word: Copr.

Examples:

• © 1955 Johnathan Smith
• Copyright 1955 John Smith
• Copr. 1955 J. H. Smith

HymnWiki Notes

• Unless otherwise noted, content labeled public domain on this website only refers to public domain content in the United States. Works in other countries may have different copyright laws.