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.

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.