Jazz music from the 1930-1931 period is considered part of the public domain in many countries, meaning that the copyrights for these works have expired and they are now freely available for use without permission or payment.
In the United States, for example, copyright law states that works published before 1923 are in the public domain. This includes many popular jazz songs from the 1930-1931 period, such as “Ain’t Misbehavin'” by Fats Waller, “Mood Indigo” by Duke Ellington, and “On the Sunny Side of the Street” by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields.
However, it is important to note that while the underlying composition of these songs may be in the public domain, any specific recordings of them may still be protected by copyright. For example, a particular recording of “Ain’t Misbehavin'” from 1931 may still be protected, even though the composition itself is in the public domain.
It is also worth noting that the rules regarding public domain can vary from country to country. In some countries, copyright protection lasts for the lifetime of the composer plus a certain number of years after their death. In these cases, even works from the 1930-1931 period may still be protected by copyright, depending on when the composer passed away.
In conclusion, while many popular jazz songs from the 1930-1931 period are in the public domain in the United States, the rules regarding public domain can vary from country to country and it is important to consider the specific circumstances of each work before using it.
Sources:
- United States Copyright Office: “Public Domain”
- Cornell University Law School: “Copyright Term and the Public Domain in the United States”
