Mem’ries of You Mammy

The rule engine has correctly classified the sound recording of "Mem'ries of You Mammy" by Mamie Smith as UNCERTAIN regarding its Music Modernization Act (MMA) copyright status. This uncertainty arises because the exact year of fixation for this particular recording is unknown. While Mamie Smith is historically significant for her 1920 recordings, notably "Crazy Blues," the specific recording of "Mem'ries of You Mammy" lacks a definitive fixation date that would allow for a precise application of MMA rules. Without this crucial piece of information, determining the length of its protection under 17 U.S.C. § 1401 is impossible. The Music Modernization Act, enacted in 2018, brought pre-1972 sound recordings under federal copyright protection for the first time. The duration of this protection is determined by a tiered system based on the recording's fixation date. For recordings fixed between January 1, 1923, and December 31, 1946, protection extends for 100 years from publication. However, the exact publication or fixation year is a prerequisite for applying these rules. If "Mem'ries of You Mammy" was fixed in, say, 1925, it would be protected until 2025. If it were from 1922 or earlier, it might be in the public domain. Without this date, a definitive determination cannot be made, leading to the 'UNCERTAIN' status. Mamie Smith, often referred to as "The Queen of the Blues," was a pioneering African American vocalist whose recordings for OKeh Records in the early 1920s were pivotal in the development of blues and jazz. OKeh Records was a prominent label during that era, responsible for many early blues and jazz recordings. While we know Smith recorded during this period, the specific track's fixation year remains elusive, thereby precluding a clear application of the MMA's federal protection terms. To accurately assess its status, further historical research into OKeh's catalog or Smith's recording sessions for this specific song would be necessary to establish the year of fixation.