Copyright Statements

Copyright statements are important information for Hymnary and for our users, as well as for historical interest. They should be entered as they are in the hymnal with date, copyright holder, and administrator (if in the statement). Do not include "All rights reserved" or "Used by permission" (unless "used by permission" is in place of a copyright symbol) as these imply Hymnary has asked for permission. Sometimes copyright statements may be found in the acknowledgement section of the hymnal or in the front of the hymnal, rather than on the hymnal page. if it is enter this information into the copyright statement in the instace. 

Copyright term in the U.S. is 95 years after registration or first publication. If the hymal has a copyright statement but the copyright year is older than 95 years, include the copyright statement for historical interest, but add "Now Public Domain" to the note field.

If a hymn is in the public domain, there is usually not a statement on the hymnal pages, so the copyright field is left blank. However, this is still important information. Please indicate that the instance is public domain by checking the box to certify that the text instance of the tune instance is public domain. Sometimes an alteration, adaptation, arrangement or hamonization in a hymnal instance may be copyrighted when the text or tune itself is public domain, do not check the box if this is the case.

A hymnal is a compilation. Usually there will be separate copyright statements on the hymnal pages (or in an acknowledgements section). However, some translators, alterers, adapters, or arrangers may sign over their rights to the publisher. It is not easy to tell if this has taken place. If there is doubt, leave the box unchecked.