Klarinet Archive - Posting 000068.txt from 1998/04

From: "Scott Morrow" <sdm@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Copyright
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 11:57:12 -0500

>
>> Even after a copyright on the _music_ expires, a representation
>> of the music can have a copyright attached - the _music_ is no
>> longer copyrighted, but you have no legal right to make a photocopy
>> of a representation under copyright. You are allowed, however, to
>> make your own copy of the music and play it from memory if you
>> so desire.
>
>You are correct about the former. A way around is to rewrite it
>yourself....either by hand or on computer. It is then your work - by law.
>You do state that......again ........very perceptive!!
>

Wouldn't "your" work need to be a derivative of the original public domain
piece and not of the copyrighted derivative?
In a musical I was collaborating on, my partner wanted one of the pieces
interwoven with spirituals. I found a book of spirituals in the library
(arranged for voice with piano accompaniament) and copied down only the
melody lines, figuring the songs were public domain but the arrangement was
not. I then made my own arrangement independent of the arrangement in the
book.

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
DNA Synthesis Core Facility
Department of Biochemistry
The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health
Baltimore, MD 21205
(410) 955-3631