Beethoven's Ode to Joy - copyrighted?
 

Hi there.
I'm currently making a short film for a film class and can only use uncopyrighted music or music we personally own in the final product (I know I can use sounds from my computer like soundtrack pro). I would really like to use an excerpt from Ode to Joy, but was unaware if this was copyrighted or in the public domain. I checked google and only "personal" websites stated that it wasn't copyrighted (with no official citation). Does anyone know anything on copyright concerning Beethoven?

I'm pretty sure the copyright is invalid once the artists dies, but google it just to be sure.

... Unless he's still alive ...

True, that's how it used to be. But in the 1940s and 1970s (I think) they changed aspects of the copyright laws and I don't know if that included classical music. I've googled, but I haven't seen anything official looking.

ok. I think I found it. 70 or 80 years after any composer's death, their music enters the public domain. You cannot use "recorded" music, but you can use the musical composition itself and play it and make your own recording without breaking copyright laws. (yahoo)

Your probably rite.

Its hard to say if its been copywriter or not, these days it can be left up to family members. AS for Mozart I doubt its been copy written as it was done long before those laws were made. I would maybe call into a radio station they would more then likely know before most would as they play such music... a classical radio show that is.

I'm pretty sure you can use it 70 years after the artist's death, but it looks like you were able to find that for yourself :P

Either way it probably doesn't matter because I really don't see Beethovens family going after you for messing around with Ode To Joy.

You can use it but as was said earlier you have to make your own version. The music isn't copyrighted but the performance by a recording artist/group would be