----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Aaron Levinson" <[log in to unmask]>
> Dear ARSC folk-
> I am curious if anyone out there has compiled an exhaustive, 
> semi-exhaustive (or just plain exhausting) list of PD recordings. As a 
> Latin music collector I have found certain tracks that have popped up 
> with differing names on "budget" labels like Varsity. I seem to recall a 
> thread from sometime ago that dealt with this question but I do not 
> remember anyone having a single database of all the music that fell into 
> this category.
> 
> Does such a thing exist or am I searching for Chimeras?
> 
Since others on the list might be interested...

The simple answer(s) as follows...

In the US Of A, no such thing exists...nor will it until 1/01/2067 (subject
to change...?!)

Here in Canada, ANYTHING recorded prior to 1/01/1959...!

The latter date also applies to virtually all European recordings.

Note that the p.d. status of a sound recording does NOT imply that
the song thereon is ALSO p.d. since the publisher's copyright uses
a completely different system; since this uses a system of "compulsory
license," this latter copyright only means the user may have to pay a
royalty to use thesong...!

Steven C. Barr