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copyright issues in public domain

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:55 pm
by saintx
Hi Guys, I would like to your assistance on issue below.

I am planning to rewrite Hanon - Virtuoso Pianist in Sibelius, and publish it under new name of publishing house, ex: "ABC Publishing" and sell the copies.

Since "Hanon - Virtuoso Pianist" is already considered as public domain, will I violate the copyright law by doing that?

If yes, please tell me the reason.

Thanks.

Re: copyright issues in public domain

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 5:01 pm
by vinteuil
You will not violate any laws. Go ahead, and have fun.

Re: copyright issues in public domain

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 5:24 pm
by saintx
wow thanks for very fast reply.

just for reassuring. on the IMSLP page, I see that the Hanon virtuoso pianist is published by Schirmer. Why is it considered as public domain now?

am I allowed to use Schirmer's Edition of Hanon as source?

Re: copyright issues in public domain

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 5:29 pm
by vinteuil
You are allowed to use it. It is public domain in the U.S. because it was first published before 1923, and is public domain in the rest of the world (except Mexico and a few other very strict copyright regimes) because the last surviving contributor died over 70 years ago.

Re: copyright issues in public domain

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:15 pm
by saintx
okay, thank you once again to you^^

Re: copyright issues in public domain

Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2011 6:22 pm
by Carolus
It's likely public domain even in Mexico, since their increasing of the term to 100 pma was not retroactive.