Autumn Leaves - public domain?

Subject: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Cheap Tracks
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 09:39 PM

I've done some looking around, and I can't find a conclusive answer. I recorded a live husband & wife concert a couple years ago and want to use a piece on my demo CD. The title of the song is Autumn Leaves. To avoid any possible confusion, here is a 2 min. sample.

Autumn Leaves MP3

Is this piece copyrighted? The performers don't know either.

Thanks

karl
Cheap Tracks

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 09:48 PM

The Song definitely was copyrighted - don't have details...

The Autumn Leaves that fall in the park would definitely be "In the Public Domain"... :-)

Robin

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 11:04 PM

Which Autumn Leaves? Levy has several.
I presume that you mean the French song "Les Feuilles Mortes" with English lyrics "Autumn Leaves" by Johnny Mercer, which is still under copyright. See thread 34246: Autumn Leaves

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 11:08 PM

First sung by Yves Montand in 1946. Nat King Cole had the top English version. Definitely under copyright.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Cheap Tracks
Date: 02 Apr 04 - 11:15 PM

Thanks folks. I had a hunch that was the case. Too bad, that was one of the better performances of their concert.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: mooman
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 02:41 AM

If it was the usually performed Johnny Mercer song (a personal favourite incidentally!)....then definitely under copyright.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 02:54 AM

Interestingly, Autumn Leaves started its life in 3/4 time, but is usually performed 4/4 now. So there.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Apr 04 - 03:24 AM

I want Autumn Leaves, complete with the boogie part, played at my memorial service when the time comes, followed by 'Yesterday', both on piano. I know a couple of guys who play it beautifully. One of them is a friend of mine and the other is a local mail carrier who used to play for tourists on cruiseships. Maybe I can pay the royalties beforehand? ?:~)

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: GUEST,Jasper Lucas
Date: 10 May 21 - 11:22 PM

Made a cover, should be able to upload to DistroKid, right?

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 11 May 21 - 12:44 AM

Joseph Kozma only died in 1969 so it's still copyright.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: GUEST,lou
Date: 11 May 21 - 09:50 PM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Leaves_(1945_song)

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 May 21 - 05:32 AM

Written by Joseph Cosma/Kosma, died 1969. So still in copyright

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 12 May 21 - 08:45 AM

...and Prévert, who wrote the original words, died in 1977 which kicks the can even further down the road.

Subject: RE: Autumn Leaves - public domain?
From: Howard Jones
Date: 12 May 21 - 01:23 PM

I hadn't heard of DistroKid, but when I looked it up they say you can use it for cover songs, but you have to pay them an additional fee to obtain the mechanical copyright licence for you.


https://distrokid.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013648953-Can-I-Upload-Cover-Songs-

A song being in copyright doesn't mean you can't record it (with a few exceptions), but it does mean you have to pay a royalty to the copyright holder.