Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads

Subject: Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 04:12 PM

My family has an original $1, 1931 copyright copy of Songs of the Sage by Curly Fletcher, with sketches by Guy M. Welch. Pub. was Frontier Publishing in L.A.

I would like to offer a photocopy of these ballads in the auction, but am wondering about the copyright. I checked Curly's name at the copyright office registered works thing and one came up of a song he and Bob Nolan copyrighted, apparently in 1952, if I read it right.

Anyway, do any of you know whether his stuff has passed into Public Domain or not?

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads
From: MMario
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 04:41 PM

As I understand it, you can't count on it having become public domain unless it pre-dates 1924 (at this particular time)

Subject: RE: Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 07:36 PM

My understanding of how the (c) law works is as follows. Please keep in mind, however that this post is not legal advice and does not establish a lawyer-client relationship. It is strictly private opinion.

If the copyright was not renewed, a work published in 1931 in the U.S. is in the U.S. public domain (though it may still be under copyright elsewhere). If the copyright was renewed, the work remains under copyright until the last day of 2026, unless the recent copyright extension is finally declared unconstitutional (the forces of truth, justice, and short-term copyright lost in the discrict court; an appeal is being prepared) in which case the copyright will presumably last until December 31, 2006.

The renewal of a 1931 copyright would have been in 1958 or 1959, or possibly 1960. To find out if the copyright was renewed you'll need to check the Catalog of Copyright Entries for those years. Some of the CCE is on line. If you go here you'll find some of it, but I don't think they're up to 1958 yet. Another site is here. Further useful information is here.

T.

Subject: RE: Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Nov 99 - 09:12 PM

Thank you, T-Bird! I will check those sites. Since the one I did find was 1959, by Bob Nolan and Curly, I have a feeling they may have been renewed.

BTW: I always find your postings interesting and thoguh-provoking. Thanks for being here.

kat

Subject: RE: Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Nov 99 - 11:46 PM

Ms. Kat,

It's easier to get forgiveness than permission. As Chuck Berry said, "It's too much monkey business for me to be involved in." You should've just gone and done it. But now they know where you're lurkin'... Best not to auction it off now. (Maybe in a day or two---after all this blows over. But would you please send me a Xerox of it for free?

Love,

Qualmless Art

Subject: RE: Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads
From: katlaughing
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 12:06 AM

I had thought about that, Fine Art, but you know I try to keep honest! Darn it, anyway! Free??!! Why you know I WILL, pawdnuh, consider it done.

Bucking up her courage Kat

Subject: RE: Copyright query Curly Fletcher's ballads
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Dec 99 - 10:40 PM

Kat,

I was just kidding around. No need to do that.

Art