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Bethlehem Down (Warlock, Peter) - Was copyright renewed in US?

Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2021 8:06 pm
by Choralia
The work in subject (first published in 1928) is tagged as "Non-PD US", however I haven't been able to locate the relevant copyright renewal in 1956 using the Catalog of Copyright Entries for the USA. I also checked years 1955 and 1957. A collection by Peter Warlock published in 1928 by Oxford University Press (title: "A book of songs") is mentioned in the 1956 catalog, however apparently that collection did not include the work in subject (checked using Worldcat).

Can anyone else check my findings? If copyright was not renewed, this work may be PD everywhere now.

Max

Re: Bethlehem Down (Warlock, Peter) - Was copyright renewed in US?

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 2:31 am
by cypressdome
U.S. copyright was renewed in 1958. Also, since the librettist died in 1957 the work (with text) shouldn't be PD-EU until Jan. 1, 2028.

Re: Bethlehem Down (Warlock, Peter) - Was copyright renewed in US?

Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2021 4:33 pm
by Choralia
Thank you for your search, cypressdome.

According to Worldcat, the version published by Boosey & Hawkes in 1931 (copyright renewed in 1958) was a version for one voice only, while the original version published in 1928 was scored for SATB chorus:
Originally for SATB chorus; arr. for medium voice and organ (piano ad lib.) by the composer.
Does the renewal affect the copyright status of the original SATB version?

Max

Re: Bethlehem Down (Warlock, Peter) - Was copyright renewed in US?

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2022 2:43 am
by cypressdome
I see now. Here's the 1928 copyright registration. Like you, I cannot find a renewal for that one. No renewal would mean that version is in the public domain in the U.S. The registration and renewal of the voice and organ/piano arrangement should have no impact on the copyright status of the 1928 version as far as I know.

Re: Bethlehem Down (Warlock, Peter) - Was copyright renewed in US?

Posted: Wed Jan 05, 2022 5:15 pm
by Choralia
OK, great, thank you very much.

Max