Music and lyrics published in 1922 or earlier are in the Public Domain in the United States. No one can claim ownership of a song in the public domain. Public Domain music and songs may be used by anyone . . . without permission, without royalties, and without any limitations whatsoever.

Music recordings, however, are copyright protected separately from Musical Works. There are no Sound Recordings in the Public Domain in the USA. If you need a music recording - even a recording of a public domain song - you will either have to record it yourself or license a Royalty Free Music track.

Information about Musical Works are found in the Public Domain Music section of this website. If you need a Sound Recording, you can choose from thousands of tracks in the Royalty Free Music section.

The proof that a Musical Work is in the Public Domain in the USA is any sheet music publication with a copyright date of 1922 or earlier. If you need proof that a Song or Musical Composition is in the public domain, you will find PD Sheet Music Reprints with complete copyright information available in our Sheet Music Section.

IMPORTANT: All public domain information on this site is based on USA copyright law. Countries other than the US may offer copyright protection for 70 years or more after the death of the author. There is no such thing as an "international copyright". You must research and comply with the copyright laws of each separate country where you use music or lyrics.