The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #74026   Message #1290529
Posted By: Nigel Parsons
06-Oct-04 - 03:55 PM
Thread Name: Tech: Parody rights????
Subject: RE: Tech: Parody rights????
OtherDave:
Or the periodic table of the elements, though Tom Lehrer holds copyright on the arrangement of those terms and on the music for the song he wrote about them.
I think you'll find that Lehrer in turn nicked the tune from Arthur Sullivan. It was The Major General's song from HMS Pinafore.
As Sullivan died in 1900, the best Lehrer can hope for is copyright of his arrangement. The Tune is now 'Public Domain'

Nigel