Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

ProfessorGAC

(73,695 posts)
1. Tricky Situation
Sun Jul 6, 2025, 05:19 PM
Jul 6

Copyrights for songs written after '78 last 70 years.
Before that, they lasted for 28 years, but could be renewed for another 67. A total of 95 years.
If you find a song written in the early 70s, and nobody applied for renewal, there is no copyright upon which to infringe.
Seems it might be easier for someone here to come up with blues changes and an "original" melody.
Chord progressions can't be copyrighted, so any blues changes are unencumbered for use.
And, evoking an existing melody with totally different words probably couldn't be pursued because you're not monetizing.
Besides, copyrights can be satisfied by paying a usage fee, which is pennies & nickels since there's no % of sales to discuss.
Finally, YouTube & SoundCloud (and likely others) run a check when posting to assure to infringement.
The stuff I have online is 100% covers, and everything I ever tried to post passed the screening
You might be overthinking this.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Tricky Situation ProfessorGAC Jul 6 #1
Thanks. usonian Jul 6 #2
Not Big Into Classical ProfessorGAC Jul 6 #3
Toreador Song usonian Jul 6 #4
Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Musicians»Need an off-copyright tun...»Reply #1