Protected

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho

Tutti Camarata

1967

Confidence

98

— Composition copyright —

Songwriter & publisher

Protected

Songwriter(s): Frank Churchill, Larry Morey
Publisher: Bourne Co.
First published: 1937

Rule · Compositions first published in 1937 are protected for 95 years from publication. Enters US public domain on January 1, 2033.

The musical composition "Heigh-Ho" was written by Frank Churchill (music) and Larry Morey (lyrics) for Walt Disney's animated film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' which was released in 1937. Therefore, the composition's first publication year is 1937, not 1967 as initially assumed based on the recording date. Under the 1976 Copyright Act and subsequent extensions like the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act (CTEA), compositions published in 1937 are protected for a term of 95 years from the year of publication. This means the composition's copyright term extends until January 1, 2033. Until that date, the composition remains under copyright protection in the United States. Any use of the underlying musical composition—such as creating a cover, sampling, or synchronization in a visual media—requires clearance and licensing from the copyright holder, Bourne 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 between 1957 and February 14, 1972 are protected by federal law until February 15, 2067 (MMA, 17 U.S.C. § 1401(a)(2)(D)).

— AI Reasoning —

Why this status applies

The sound recording of Tutti Camarata's "Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho," released in 1967, is protected under federal copyright law. This protection stems from the Music Modernization Act (MMA), specifically 17 U.S.C. § 1401(a)(2)(D). Under this provision, sound recordings fixed between January 1, 1957, and February 14, 1972, are granted federal protection until February 15, 2067. Tutti Camarata's recording falls squarely within this timeframe, being fixed and released in 1967. Before the MMA, such recordings were protected by a patchwork of state laws and common law. The MMA brought these 'pre-1972' recordings under a unified federal copyright system, clarifying their status and term of protection. This particular recording is associated with Disney, a major entertainment entity known for its extensive catalog and careful management of intellectual property, further affirming its likely protected status. Therefore, the recording will remain under federal copyright protection for several more decades, entering the public domain on February 15, 2067.

— Cited Sources —

Supporting facts

17 U.S.C. § 1401(a)(2)(D) - Music Modernization Act
U.S. Copyright Office Circular 92: Copyright Basics
Recording label: Disneyland Records
Artist: Tutti Camarata
Release year: 1967

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.