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Business Copyright Basics Fair Use and Public Domain Public Domain

Anwar Rizalman
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Anwar Rizalman
Python Development Techdegree Graduate 33,620 Points
Posted by Anwar Rizalman
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Anwar Rizalman
Python Development Techdegree Graduate 33,620 Points

What does "The song is public domain, but the recording is copyrighted." mean actually?

I'm confused, can anyone give more clarity on this? How the song in the public domain can be use?

2 Answers

Mark Casavantes
Mark Casavantes
10,619 Points
Mark Casavantes
Mark Casavantes
10,619 Points

Good Morning Anwar,

An original song may be in the public domain because the copyright expired. A singer may sing the song and that song will be copyrighted.

Rick Gleitz
Rick Gleitz
47,876 Points
Rick Gleitz
Rick Gleitz
47,876 Points

The singer can freely use the song's lyrics and music to create a new thing (their own recorded version) which they (or their record label) own and can sell.