Who is the copyright © owner of the famous song auld lang syne that is sung around the world on new years?

[Skullcap]

[Anonymous]

The tune is old enough to be in the public domain, since the poem that forms the lyrics was written in the late 18th century. The tune is even older.

If you perform it or record it based on some sheet music you've bought, you typically would still have to pay a mechanical license to the publisher of the sheet music since, in this case, it is the arrangement that's copyrighted. But you can make up your own arrangement, too. That means there needs to be something unique about your harmonies, the instrumentation, etc.

[Skullcap]

Can a public domain song be copyrighted?

[Opinion Owner]

No. Being in the public domain means the song's copyright has expired or never had one in the first place.

An arrangement (sheet music) or a recording can be copyrighted, however. Every recording of it you find on Christmas albums, for example, would be copyrighted.

[Superchick1234]

Auld Lang Syne is a song who's copyright has expired. It was written in 1788 by Robert Burns. It is free to the public.

[Skullcap]

Can a public domain song be copyrighted?

[Superchick1234]

No, I don't think it can. However, if for example a celebrity would record the song, that recording would be copyrighted.