Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
A rights-holder can grant whatever terms of use they wish to, and if they wish to only require payment for commercial use that is entirely their decision to make.
|
While I don't have the sheet music in my hands, I'm pretty sure that it just says: Copyright Warner/Chappell Music. All Rights Reserved.
I highly doubt that it says: Copyright Warner/Chappel Music. Non-commercial use is acceptable, all other rights reserved.
Corporate copyright attorneys just don't think that way. If they don't specifically say so, then they want you to get permission for every instance of non-commercial use.
You have been claiming that public performances are illegal. Illegal implies a crime, a violation of a criminal statute (and all of the copyright statues have the possibility of jail/prison time associated with them). There is no 'non-commercial' use clause in the laws. No 'implied acceptable use' clause.
As far as the law is concerned (in the appropriate countries), singing Happy Birthday is illegal.
More:
One version on the internet (image of sheet music) says: All Rights Reserved including Public Performance for Profit.
This means that public performance not for profit is also reserved.