Expecting Rain

probably the worst selling bootleg series since most of us got the stuff & this is probably mainly released for copyright reasons (copyright expires after 50 years & those recordings are from 1961, meaning to expire next year unless ...)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_copyright_law#Duration_of_copyright


Terrible legalese in this Wikipedia article, but it gives me the impression there was nothing to worry about for Sony or Dylan regarding copyright.

Before January 1978, the duration of all copyrights was split into two consecutive 28-year terms. During the last (28th) year of the initial term, authors were entitled to renew their copyrights for a further term of 28 years. Through a series of amendments to the Copyright Act, the renewal term was extended 19 years, and then an additional 20 years, for a total of 95 years (28+28+19+20=95). If an author dies before renewal time arrives, certain statutory successors (generally, the author’s family, executor or next of kin) are entitled to recapture his or her copyright for the extended term. Since pre-1978 copyrights now endure for 95 years, heirs can recapture up to 67 years (28+67=95). Works published after December 31, 1977 are protected for the life of the author plus 70 years.

In brief, under U.S. copyright, an work that Mr. D. published prior to January 1, 1978 can be extended for a total 95 years. Any work he's published after December 31, 1977 are for his life plus any additional 70 years. As SuperMabel1 said, given that different countries have different interpretations of life of copyright, that doesn't preclude a publisher in the U.K. or Germany for example issuing material where - in that country - the copyright has expired. Personally, I think that accounts for the release of "Folksinger's Choice," and the various Theme Time Radio Hour compilations.

Sound Recordings and broadcasts

50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was created, or,

if the work is released within that time: 50 years from the end of the calendar year in which the work was first released.

Isn't it more likely that Dylan and Sony are spreading his archival releases carefully over a number of years? He usually has a release round about this time of year.

Since the question comes up here a lot, here's the UK Copyright Law



From http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/copyr ... yright_law for those who have trouble sleeping.

What, praytell, is "Dylan's broader copyright"???

Hey Warren, great website for you here:

http://www.ufos-aliens.co.uk/cosmicapollo.html

The demos are in zero danger of lapsing into public domain anytime soon.

The demos are in zero danger of lapsing into public domain anytime soon. And the enormous pride you seem to take in being too fuсking stupid to understand why this is a great release in the series is really awe inspiring.

In the US, Johnny. In the US. Worldwide, though, public domain is heavy breathing on the shoulder of those (1961? 1962?) demos. They'll be appearing on £1/€1 CDs in the UK/Europe in 2012 or 2013, unless UK/European copyright law changes soon.

US law respects the restrictive rights of other nations in regard to sound recordings. I suppose most other nations do the same, so Dylan's recordings are not going public domain anywhere anytime soon.I believe the Folksinger's Choice bootleg, like many other boots, could be sued on multiple grounds.