Protected

Taxi Driver

Gentleman Bobby Benson

1950

Confidence

95

— Composition copyright —

Songwriter & publisher

Protected

Songwriter(s): Bobby Benson
Publisher: Specialty Records, Inc.
First published: 1950

Rule · Compositions first published in 1950 are protected for 95 years from publication. Enters US public domain on January 1, 2046.

The musical composition for "Taxi Driver" by Bobby Benson, first published in 1950, is currently protected under US copyright law. For compositions first published in 1950, the term of protection is 95 years from the year of first publication, assuming all necessary formalities (such as renewal, if applicable for works published between 1923 and 1963) were met. Bobby Benson's composition would have been published by Specialty Records, Inc. at the time. Based on the 95-year term, the copyright for the composition of "Taxi Driver" will expire on December 31, 2045, entering the US public domain on January 1, 2046. Until that time, any use of the underlying musical work – including creating cover versions, sampling, or synchronization in films or advertisements – requires explicit licensing from the rights holders, typically the publisher (Specialty Records, Inc.) or their administration.

Confidence

90

Sound recording and composition are two separate copyrights. Even if one is public domain, the other may still be protected — clear cover, sample, and sync rights independently.

— Rule Applied —

The deterministic finding

Recordings fixed 1950 are protected for 110 years under the MMA. Enters US public domain on January 1, 2061.

— AI Reasoning —

Why this status applies

The sound recording of "Taxi Driver" by Gentleman Bobby Benson, fixed in 1950, falls under the protection of the Music Modernization Act (MMA), specifically the provisions for pre-1972 sound recordings. The MMA, enacted in 2018, extended federal copyright-like protection to sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, which were previously governed by a patchwork of state laws. For recordings fixed between 1947 and 1956, the MMA grants protection for 110 years from the date of fixation, ensuring a consistent national standard for their rights. Because "Taxi Driver" was fixed in 1950, it squarely fits into this MMA provision. This means that, despite its original fixation date being pre-federal copyright, the recording is now subject to federal protection for a significant duration. The earliest known release date of 2012 further emphasizes that this recording has been brought under modern protection, ensuring that the rights holders can control its reproduction, distribution, public performance, and digital transmission. Consequently, the sound recording of "Taxi Driver" will remain protected under the MMA until January 1, 2061, when it is scheduled to enter the US public domain. This federal protection helps to clarify rights management for older recordings and provides a uniform legal framework across all US jurisdictions, replacing the previous fragmented state-by-state system. This applies to releases by labels like Specialty Records, known for their catalog of recordings from this era.

— Cited Sources —

Supporting facts

Music Modernization Act (MMA), 17 U.S.C. § 1401
Effective date of MMA for pre-1972 recordings
MMA protection terms for recordings fixed 1947-1956 (110 years from fixation)
Specialty Records catalog information for Gentleman Bobby Benson
Fixation date of 'Taxi Driver' by Gentleman Bobby Benson (1950)

This analysis is AI-generated for informational research only and does not constitute legal advice. Sound-recording status under the MMA does not determine the status of the underlying composition. Always consult a qualified copyright attorney before commercial use.