Why do older albums have no copyright on them? ARGH!

[Rabrrrrrr]

I'm pulling out some OLD albums, from the 50s and 60s, I'm sure, and some from the 70s, and so many of the old ones have no copyright on the album cover, back, or on the the vinyl itself.

I can somewhat date them due to some things said on the covers, like "360 degree sound!" or "IN STEREO!" or "Guaranteed High Fidelity!", but that's inexact, and still doesn't let me know if this might even be a reissue of an album from years earlier...

GARGH!!

I have a Dave Brubeck "Time Out" album- I'd love to know when it's from, and whether this is a first printing, second printing, etc., or a reissue, or what.

And a Bob Brookmeyer and Friends album with Stan Getz and Herbie Hancock and Elvin Jones... but no date.

[leeroysphitz]

1. Aren't there places online that could help narrow it down?

Other collectors websites, message boards or dealers etc?

[Hissyspit]

2. There are all kind of record guides you can buy.

Goldmine publishes many.

Serial numbers are usually the best way to determine when first, second printing, etc.

They didn't put copyright numbers on the older numbers, because it hadn't occurred to anyone that they might need to. Remember, album covers were originally there just to protect the record, not to provide info or add to the cultural experience. This changed over time, as well as the specifics of copyright law.

[oberliner]

3. 1959, 1964

Time Out is from 1959

http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2b881vd8zzua

Bob Brookmeyer and Friends is from 1964

http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:x9ex97qjkrdt

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Thanks! You rock!

That site is a goldmine!

[jberryhill]

5. You won't find it prior to 1972

Believe it or not, US federal copyright law did not cover sound recordings until 1972.

Prior to that protection in sound recordings was strictly a matter of state law.

Since a lot of people don't believe that:

http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2006/06-009.html
Commercial sound recordings made before 1972 are covered by a patchwork of state laws, rather than by federal copyright law. Thus, state laws apply to libraries and archives seeking to copy these fragile historical recordings in order to preserve them. However, state laws are far less clear-cut than federal copyright law. States may protect copyright through criminal, common or civil law.

And, yes, that includes the White Album.

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. How odd - thanks! I didn't know that.