There is such a thing as music that is out of copyright. Music that is in the public domain, which means it is not protected by intellectual property rights, such as copyrights, and is free for anyone to use, distribute, and build upon. The length of copyright protection for music varies depending on the jurisdiction, but typically it lasts for the life of the composer plus a certain number of years after their death.
According to the United States Copyright Office, “Once a copyright expires, the work falls into the public domain and may be freely used or exploited by anyone.” In the EU, copyright protection for music typically lasts for 70 years after the death of the last surviving member of the composer and performer.
It is important to note that not all old music is in the public domain. Some music may still be protected by copyright even if it was created a long time ago. It is essential to check the specific laws in your jurisdiction to determine whether a particular piece of music is in the public domain or still protected by copyright.
Moreover, copyright laws can change, and new legislation can extend the term of protection for works that were previously in the public domain. For example, in the United States, the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 extended the term of protection for works that were already protected by copyright.
In conclusion, out of copyright music refers to music that is not protected by intellectual property rights and is freely available for anyone to use, distribute, and build upon. The length of copyright protection for music varies, and it is important to check the specific laws in your jurisdiction to determine whether a particular piece of music is in the public domain or still protected by copyright.
Source:
- United States Copyright Office, “Public Domain” (https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ15a.pdf)
