5 ms·

Google are stating that the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner are owned by Concord Music Publishing and are somehow derivative of the Super Bowl. That's just p

Google are stating that the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner are owned by Concord Music Publishing and are somehow derivative of the Super Bowl. That's just plain false, absolute misinformation. It is obvious in this case that the information is wrong, but what of the many songs that Google misleads people into thinking are likewise locked up in rights? It's simply ridiculous on the face of it.

NULL-but-True 7y ago
It is allowed for someone to copyright a performance of a piece of music, separate from the music itself. The text "The Star Spangled Banner (Super Bowl XXV) lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC" is saying the lyrics came from a performance of the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV, and that Concord Music Publishing LLC owns the copyright of that performance.
- readbeard 7y ago
  But merely performing a song doesn't give you any kind of monopoly whatsoever on the lyrics. Even arranging a song wouldn't give you copyright on the lyrics unless you substantially changed them. It is simply false that Concord Music Publishing LLC has copyright on the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner," even if these public domain lyrics were used in an arrangement controlled by that company. Edit: Getting into the weeds a bit here, but I don't think performances themselves can be copyrighted (in the US, that is). Recordings can be copyrighted, as can musical compositions, lyrics, and subsequent arrangements. It is my understanding that, in order for something to be eligible for copyright, it must be fixed in a "tangible medium of expression." It's also worth mentioning that music publishing companies generally control compositions, not recordings. But even supposing Concord Music Publishing has copyright on the arrangement used on that particular occasion, that does not imply they have copyright on the lyrics.
  - chrshawkes 7y ago
    Performances can be copyrighted. All of Woodstock 99 is a performance under copyright. I only know because I went and tried to use some footage later.
    - mrguyorama 7y ago
      Parent is saying that the event of Woodstock cannot be copyrighted, but that the footage of the event can be
jefftk 7y ago
I initially thought that maybe the lyrics from the Super Bowl performance were different from the public domain ones, but comparing the one on Google with the one at https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-lyrics.aspx https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-lyrics.aspx all the differences are just typographical: https://www.jefftk.com/national-anthem-lyrics-comparision.png https://www.jefftk.com/national-anthem-lyrics-comparision.pn... While other aspects of the Super Bowl arrangement and performance are under copyright, the lyrics aren't.

NULL-but-True 7y ago

It is allowed for someone to copyright a performance of a piece of music, separate from the music itself. The text "The Star Spangled Banner (Super Bowl XXV) lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC" is saying the lyrics came from a performance of the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl XXV, and that Concord Music Publishing LLC owns the copyright of that performance.

readbeard 7y ago
But merely performing a song doesn't give you any kind of monopoly whatsoever on the lyrics. Even arranging a song wouldn't give you copyright on the lyrics unless you substantially changed them. It is simply false that Concord Music Publishing LLC has copyright on the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner," even if these public domain lyrics were used in an arrangement controlled by that company. Edit: Getting into the weeds a bit here, but I don't think performances themselves can be copyrighted (in the US, that is). Recordings can be copyrighted, as can musical compositions, lyrics, and subsequent arrangements. It is my understanding that, in order for something to be eligible for copyright, it must be fixed in a "tangible medium of expression." It's also worth mentioning that music publishing companies generally control compositions, not recordings. But even supposing Concord Music Publishing has copyright on the arrangement used on that particular occasion, that does not imply they have copyright on the lyrics.
- chrshawkes 7y ago
  Performances can be copyrighted. All of Woodstock 99 is a performance under copyright. I only know because I went and tried to use some footage later.
  - mrguyorama 7y ago
    Parent is saying that the event of Woodstock cannot be copyrighted, but that the footage of the event can be

jefftk 7y ago

I initially thought that maybe the lyrics from the Super Bowl performance were different from the public domain ones, but comparing the one on Google with the one at https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-lyrics.aspx https://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-lyrics.aspx all the differences are just typographical: https://www.jefftk.com/national-anthem-lyrics-comparision.png https://www.jefftk.com/national-anthem-lyrics-comparision.pn... While other aspects of the Super Bowl arrangement and performance are under copyright, the lyrics aren't.