Dear Readers,

A friend told me that you don't have to have the rights to music or songs that were published before 1930's, because there weren't any copyright laws protecting them back then, is that true?

If so, does that mean that I can slap Mozart or Beethoven onto my films or videos without paying the royalties for them? And also, what if the version of Beethoven's music that I am using is a recording made by a current orchestra? Will I have to get the rights then?

Does anyone know if that is true or not? Or am I mistaken?

Thank you,

Daniel

Musical compositions like Mozart ARE in the public domain. Recordings of their work, and arangements made by individuals are not.

So NO, you cannot use the London Symphony's recording of "A Little Night Music" in your film. You are free however, to hire your own arranger and symphony to record your own version of it.

Daniel
Do a search in the Business Forum. It is packed with threads like these. Richard nailed the answer though. You can make your own recording based on public domain compositions. You cannot use already composed music of these composition.

Why not just use clasical buyout music. It is very reasonably priced. See http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/classical-3.html

Regards,

Mark