Copyright Statement

The sheet music available on this website was published before 1923 (unless otherwise noted), and to our knowledge, is in the Public Domain. Users may copy or perform these works without paying royalties to the original author(s).

It is not the purpose nor intent of this site to violate the copyright of any individual or company. However, should a copyrighted piece appear on this site, it will be removed upon proof of copyright ownership. Please contact the webmaster at mls@repertoireonline.com.

Users may download music, copy, record, and perform the music files on this site for their own personal use.

Users may NOT download and mount any music files to their own servers for public use or for the use of a set of subscribers. Nor may these files be re-distributed to the public.

The following table summarizes the current U. S. Copyright Law.

WHEN WORKS PASS INTO THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

DATE OF WORK

WHEN PROTECTED

TERM OF PROTECTION

Works created on January 1, 1978 or after

When the work is fixed in a tangible medium of expression

Life + 70 years (works made for hire, 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter)

Published before 1923

In the Public Domain

None

Published from 1923 to 1963

When published with notice

28 years + (could be renewed for 47 years, now extended by 20 years for a total of 67 years. If not renewed, now in the Public Domain

Published from 1964 to 1977

When published with notice

28 years for the first term; automatic extension of 67 years for second term

Works originally created before January 1, 1978, but not published

Effective January 1, 1978

Life + 70 years or December 31, 2002, whichever is greater

Works originally created before January 1, 1978, but published between then and December 31, 2002

Effective January 1, 1978

Life + 70 years or December 31, 2047, whichever is greater

NOTE: Joint works are measured by the life of the longest-lived author. Under the 1909 Act, works published without a notice went into the Public Domain upon publication. However, after the Berne Convention Implementation Act, works published without notice between January 1, 1978 and March 1, 1989 retained copyright if registration was made within five years.