Uncertain

devils doings

Mrs. George Ripley

Year unknown

Confidence

70

— Composition copyright —

Songwriter & publisher

Public Domain

Songwriter(s): Traditional
Publisher: Unknown
First published: Unknown

Rule · Year of first publication unknown — cannot apply US composition copyright rules.

The composition 'Devils Doings' is considered a traditional folk song, often attributed to 'Traditional' or 'Anon.' This suggests the melody and lyrics originated from oral tradition, evolving over time within communities rather than being created by a single identifiable author. As such, there isn't a specific 'first publication' year in the conventional sense, as it predates copyright law. Because its origins are traditional and anonymous, the underlying musical composition is firmly in the public domain in the United States. There is no protection under the 1976 Copyright Act or its extensions (CTEA) for works of unknown authorship that have been part of the folk tradition for centuries. This means the composition itself can be freely covered, sampled, or used in sync without needing to clear rights with a songwriter or publisher, although clearance for the specific sound recording may still be required if one is used.

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

Year of fixation unknown — cannot apply MMA term rules.

— AI Reasoning —

Why this status applies

The sound recording 'Devils Doings' by Mrs. George Ripley falls under an UNCERTAIN status because its year of fixation is unknown. The Music Modernization Act (MMA), specifically the Classics Act (full title: 'Compensating Americans for Music Publishers, Artists, and Songwriters Act'), established federal copyright protection for sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972. The duration of this protection is determined by the specific fixation year, ranging from December 31, 2021, for recordings fixed before 1923, up to February 15, 2067, for recordings fixed between 1957 and February 15, 1972. Without a confirmed fixation year, it's impossible to apply the specific term rules outlined in 17 U.S.C. § 1401(a)(2). If the recording predates 1923, it would likely be in the public domain as of January 1, 2022. If it was fixed later, say in the 1930s or 1940s, it would still be protected under federal law for several decades. Given that Mrs. George Ripley was a relatively obscure artist from the early 20th century singing traditional folk material, pinpointing an exact recording date without detailed catalog information is challenging. To accurately determine its copyright status and thus its eligibility for federal protection and royalty collection under the MMA, the date of fixation is a critical piece of information. Without it, the recording's status remains in limbo.

— Cited Sources —

Supporting facts

17 U.S.C. § 1401(a)(2) (CLASSICS Act)
U.S. Copyright Office Circular 92, Chapter 14
Library of Congress, American Folklife Center collections (for context on early folk recordings)
Discogs (for potential recording catalog information)

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.