Using classical music is legal?

[gRaViJa]

I heard that music older than 50 years is free to use for both commercial and non-commercial purposes. So if I, for example, use a music track from Beethoven, can I use it for free? Or does it still have copyright protection from the orchestra that played it or the label that produced it? Not that I'm really planning on using classical music, but I just want to know about this.

 

[moog]

from what ive heard you need the copyright that the track is under, unless you produce a version of it, you just have to give credit to the artist.

but yeah its not for everything just certain music.

 

[Venetia]

it's 70 years to become public domain, and it's only if the rights have not been passed onto someone else through legal action or unless it was renewed by the originator or the company/body that owns it. You typically cannot distribute someone's exact rendition of Beethoven's work, but you can record or buy the rights of your own play of it and it will fly.

Note however that you cannot play only the first 9 notes of Fur Elise. You must play the entire song or under 8 notes of it. It's a part of a copyright case for a trademarked jingle belonging to ShieldMark. That's an example of how you have to be careful with it.

 

[gRaViJa]

Intresting! Thanks for the replies.

 

[moog]

no prob

 

[Cryranos]

No! I MUST fill my game with nothing but DIMITRY SHOSTAKOVITCH (1906-1975)!!!

 

[Ellie]

I think it's disgusting that someone can copyright something that isn't theirs or anything related to them. But apparently they can and that's another matter for discussion.

As far as I know, 70 years after death (not after production) - could someone confirm this?

I know Cliff Richard wants to do something to secure his earliest singles but I don't know if that's based on the fact it's coming up, or that he just doesn't want people yonks in the future using his works.

 

[Cryranos]

Yeah its after death.

 

[Ellie]

Heh, I guess some people really are paranoid then. I think I'd be honoured if people still remembered my works a century after my death.

I wonder if there is a list somewhere of classical music that's license free.