Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing

Subject: Copyright for Doris Plenn's verse
From: GUEST,Lynn Koch
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 08:27 AM

I've written a choral arrangement of "How Can I keep from singing", most of which is in the public domain. The third verse is by Doris Plenn, and is copyright 1964 by Sanga Music Inc., which appears to be Pete Seeger's domain. Does anyone have an address or email for Sanga Music so I can write to get permission to publish this arrangement?

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 12:40 PM

Don't know an answer for you, but this (http://www.tourolaw.edu/2ndCircuit/june95/94-7867.html) (click) should be very interesting to you. Apparently, the courts have ruled that the Plenn verse is in the public domain, because it was published in Sing Out! without a claim of copyright.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Lynn Koch
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 07:57 PM

Joe: Thanks for the information. I guess that answers the question. That being the case, you can look for my arrangement at sibeliusmusic.com. Search by title or by my name. You'll need to download Scorch (free) in order to see it.

Lynn

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 08:44 PM

That's a very interesting link Joe gave. Some of it is very refreshing:

Because the meeting between Seeger and Plenn took place almost forty years ago, neither Plenn nor Seeger has a precise memory of what words were spoken. However, the testimony of both makes clear that when Plenn taught Seeger the Song, she communicated her authorization to publish it, without placing any restrictions on that authorization. Plenn taught Seeger the Song in the hope of keeping it alive; her hope was that Seeger would sing it, record it, publish it -- whatever would keep it from becoming forgotten. She testified as follows:

Q And were you aware that Pete Seeger was going to be publishing this song in Sing Out as part of --
A I hope so. Well, I didn't know he was going to be publishing it in Sing Out, I hoped he was going to be doing something with it; sing it and record it. That's why you give a song to a folk singer, is it not?
Q Yes. And that was okay with you that he would publish it?
A You want them to be alive.
Q And that was okay with you that he would publish it; correct?
A Uh-huh.
Q Yes?
A Sure. Indeed.
Q You testified also before, you said Pete didn't have to ask me for permission to publish the song in Sing Out.
A No, No.
Q Is that right?
A Indeed. Certainly he didn't. It was a gift freely given with the hope that it would be kept alive.

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 10:18 PM

What would perhaps be refreshing might be to see EMI expending this kind of effort on establishing "public domain" status for material written by people who are actually dead; I wonder how many dubious copyright claims they have enforced over the years on genuinely traditional songs? I also wonder how they, or Enya, would feel about material in which they claim rights being annexed for profit by others? EMI's action here strikes me as hypocricy of the lowest kind.

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Sing
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 10:27 PM

Intellectual property, it has been said, is intellectual theft.

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Sing
From: DADGBE
Date: 18 Apr 03 - 11:58 PM

Hi Lynn,

For some odd reason, I couldn't locate your score at the sibeliusmusic site either by Title or Composer's name. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Ray

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Lynn
Date: 19 Apr 03 - 07:47 AM

Ray - Yes. It's not quite there yet. I wanted to make a few minor revisions before submitting it. Then there's a 1-2 day wait while it is approved. It should be up by early next week. Sorry for the delay.

Lynn

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Lynn
Date: 21 Apr 03 - 09:26 PM

Ray - I submitted, then resubmitted, my arrangement to sibeliusmusic.com. It should be up in another day. I realized after I'd submitted it that I hadn't put a proper copyright notice on it. Sorry for the delay, and thanks for your interest. I have other stuff available if you're interested. Email me at [e-mail].

Lynn

Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Guest Oojaykay
Date: 14 Nov 13 - 10:14 AM

Hi,
Is there anyone who has the original oldest recording of this song by Doris Plenn??
If so, please contact me at [e-mail]

Oeds Jan from Holland