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I would like to know if the song Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes which was written, recorded and published in 1954 in the US still has copyright protection or is now in the public domain.

I tried to figure out if the copyright protect has expired by US Copyright: Duration of copyright but there are a lot of if, buts and exceptions to make a clear judgement.

Does anyone know?

Thanks

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I'm fairly certain this is off-topic here. – Neil Fein Mar 5 '11 at 18:45
This question is off topic and does not belong here. – Pelle ten Cate Mar 6 '11 at 22:18

closed as off topic by Lennart Regebro, Robert Harvey, Pelle ten Cate Mar 6 '11 at 22:17

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1 Answer

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Works published or registered before 1978 currently have a maximum copyright duration of 95 years from the date of publication, if copyright was renewed during the 28th year following publication (such renewal was made automatic by the Copyright Renewal Act of 1992; prior to this the copyright would expire after 28 years if not renewed).

There is no reason to assume they would have forgotten to renew this popular song, hence the song is protected to at least the year 2049.

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