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Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing

18 Apr 03 - 08:27 AM (#935884)
Subject: Copyright for Doris Plenn's verse
From: GUEST,Lynn Koch

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?


18 Apr 03 - 12:40 PM (#936010)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: Joe Offer

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-


18 Apr 03 - 07:57 PM (#936248)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Lynn Koch

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


18 Apr 03 - 08:44 PM (#936263)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: McGrath of Harlow

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.


18 Apr 03 - 10:18 PM (#936275)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: Malcolm Douglas

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.


18 Apr 03 - 10:27 PM (#936279)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Sing
From: dick greenhaus

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


18 Apr 03 - 11:58 PM (#936315)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Sing
From: DADGBE

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


19 Apr 03 - 07:47 AM (#936397)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Lynn

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


21 Apr 03 - 09:26 PM (#937457)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Lynn

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 lynndeboarahk2@aol.com.

Lynn


14 Nov 13 - 10:14 AM (#3575557)
Subject: RE: Copyright - Doris Plenn's verse-Keep from Singing
From: GUEST,Guest Oojaykay

Hi,
Is there anyone who has the original oldest recording of this song by Doris Plenn??
If so, please contact me at oojaykay@home.nl

Oeds Jan from Holland