Quote:
Originally Posted by honeychile
Public Domain is 75 years UNLESS the copyright is renewed by whomever owns the copyright. That's why it's important for authors/songwriters to make sure that their works are part of their estate. (as per my copyright attorney)
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This is not accurate. See link below for offical US Gov't copyright information.
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html#hlc
Sending out music to "Sweet Home Gamma Gamma" IS a copyright violation. Sending out the words only, with a note "to the tune of Sweet Home Alabama" is probably not. Sending out a karaoke tape or sheet music is OK if you pay the licensing fee to the music publisher. Technically, you're supposed to pay a royalty everytime you perform the song in public. Then there are questions of exceptions, like parody and fair use.
Anyhow, I am a lawyer, but I don't currently practice Intellectual Property law.