Hank Williams died on New Years day 1953. Under Canadian law copyright lasts 50 years after the end of the year in which the author dies so that would be Jan.1 2004. Fred Rose who co-wrote many of Hank's songs died Dec.1, 1954 so those would not expire until Jan.1, 2005. Leon Payne, another co-author, died Sept.11, 1969 so his copyright would not expire until Jan.1, 2020 so care and research is required! Copyrights under US law, which these would be, are different and international convention muddies the water. The Harper government is also in the process of messing with the law in Canada.
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