Term of Protection for Copyrighted Music

The term of protection for copyrighted works expires 70 years after the composer’s death (Section 64 of the German Copyright Act). Arrangements of free works have a special status, which gives rise to a renewed term of protection up to 70 years after the arranger’s death.

It should be noted that the term of protection may vary in different countries.

The term of protection for sheet music editions of non-copyrighted works is generally 25 years if they represent the result of scholarly review and differ significantly from previously known editions of the works (Section 70 of the German Copyright Act (scholarly editions).

However, if a publisher has republished the sheet music of a piece of music that is no longer protected, this new version will generally be protected, but not the content. For this product, a 70-year term of protection begins, during which the reproduction of the music and lyrics is subject to royalties under copyright law.

Anyone who lawfully publishes a previously unpublished work for the first time after the copyright has expired has the exclusive right to exploit the work, according to Section 71 of the German Copyright Act (posthumous works).

This applies to the score of the opera.

Publication date: September 24, 2024.