Protected

Ballad Of The Alamo

Marty Robbins

2017

Confidence

100

— Composition copyright —

Songwriter & publisher

Protected

Songwriter(s): Dimitri Tiomkin, Paul Francis Webster
Publisher: Webster Music Co.
First published: 1960

Rule · Compositions first published in 1960 are protected for 95 years from publication. Enters US public domain on January 1, 2056.

The musical composition 'Ballad Of The Alamo' was written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Paul Francis Webster for the 1960 film 'The Alamo.' Since it was created and published in 1960, the composition is subject to the copyright terms of the 1976 Copyright Act, as amended by the Copyright Term Extension Act (CTEA). Under these provisions, works created and published before January 1, 1978, but after 1927, generally receive a term of 95 years from the date of publication, provided proper renewals were filed. Given its 1960 publication, the composition's copyright term would extend through 2055 (1960 + 95 years). Therefore, this composition is currently protected in the United States. Any cover versions, samples, or synchronization uses (e.g., in film, TV, or advertising) require clearance and licensing from the composition's rights holders, primarily its publisher, Webster Music Co.

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 Marty Robbins' 'Ballad Of The Alamo,' released in 2017, falls squarely under the protections afforded by the Music Modernization Act (MMA). The MMA, specifically 17 U.S.C. § 1401, extended full federal copyright protection to sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972, but it also clarified and codified the federal protection for recordings fixed on or after that date. Since this particular recording was fixed and released in 2017, it is well past the February 15, 1972 cutoff. As such, it is subject to standard federal copyright law, which grants protection for a term of the life of the author plus 70 years, or 95 years from publication for works made for hire. This means the recording is currently protected and will remain so for many decades, ensuring rights holders can control its reproduction, distribution, performance, and other uses. Marty Robbins was a prolific artist, and recordings released posthumously, such as this 2017 version, are often compiled from vault material or re-releases. This specific recording was part of the 'Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs' (Legacy Edition) released by Columbia/Legacy, an imprint of Sony Music Entertainment, which holds the rights to much of Robbins' catalog. Therefore, any use of this particular 2017 sound recording would require licensing from Sony Music Entertainment.

— Cited Sources —

Supporting facts

Marty Robbins - Ballad Of The Alamo (2017 release)
Music Modernization Act (MMA) - 17 U.S.C. § 1401
U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 - Term of Copyright
Columbia Records / Sony Music Entertainment catalog

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.