Protected

Blue Yodel #1

Jimmie Rodgers, Rainbow Ranch Boys

1992

Confidence

100

— Composition copyright —

Songwriter & publisher

Public Domain

Songwriter(s): Jimmie Rodgers
Publisher: Unknown
First published: 1927

Rule · Compositions first published before 1931 are in the US public domain (95-year term under the 1976 Copyright Act, as extended by the Sonny Bono CTEA).

The composition "Blue Yodel #1" (T for Texas) was written and first published by Jimmie Rodgers in 1927. Jimmie Rodgers passed away on May 26, 1933. Under U.S. copyright law for works created before 1978, the term of copyright protection was generally 28 years, renewable for another 28 years, totaling 56 years. With subsequent extensions, particularly the Copyright Term Extension Act (CTEA), works from 1927 that had their copyright properly renewed would be protected for 95 years from their publication date. Therefore, a composition published in 1927 would have entered the public domain on January 1, 2023 (1927 + 95 years). Given the 1927 publication year, the composition "Blue Yodel #1" is now in the public domain in the United States. This means that anyone is free to create new recordings, arrangements, or adaptations of the song, use it in sync with visuals, or sample it without needing to obtain a mechanical or synchronization license for the underlying musical composition.

Confidence

95

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 on or after February 15, 1972 are subject to standard federal copyright (life of author + 70 years, or 95 years for works made for hire). Protected.

— AI Reasoning —

Why this status applies

The sound recording of "Blue Yodel #1" by Jimmie Rodgers, Rainbow Ranch Boys, released in 1992, is unequivocally protected under federal copyright law. This is because the recording was fixed on or after February 15, 1972, which is the crucial date for federal protection of sound recordings under the Music Modernization Act (MMA). Prior to the MMA, recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, were subject to a patchwork of state laws. However, the MMA, through 17 U.S.C. § 1401, extended federal copyright protection to all sound recordings, including those fixed before 1972. For recordings fixed on or after February 15, 1972, such as this 1992 recording, they are treated like other federal copyrights, generally enjoying protection for the life of the author plus 70 years, or 95 years from publication for works made for hire. This 1992 recording falls squarely into this category. Even though the song "Blue Yodel #1" itself was written much earlier, this specific sound recording is a distinct copyrighted work. As a 1992 recording, it would be considered a modern interpretation, likely produced by a contemporary label, and therefore benefits from standard federal copyright terms, rendering it fully protected at present.

— Cited Sources —

Supporting facts

17 U.S.C. § 1401 (Music Modernization Act)
Music Modernization Act (MMA) of 2018
U.S. Copyright Office, 'Federal Copyright Protection for Pre-1972 Sound Recordings'
Recording's fixation year: 1992

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.