Re: OT: How to become a mutopia-writer

[Edward Sanford Sutton, III]

On Sunday March 21 2004 10:09, Roland Goretzki wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I spent a lot of time on the website of mutopia, but couldn't find the
> answers to some questions, so I ask here, because here are some
> mutopia-writers on this mailing-list, aren't they?
>
> I want to typeset the studies op. 10 and op. 25 from F. Chopin with
> lilypond for the mutopia-project.
>
> (And in the future, some Sonatas from Beethoven for piano, too.)
>
> Until now I have from the studies three editions:
>
>     1. G. Henle
>     2. Schott
>     3. Wilhelm Hansen
>
>     (Furthermore the most of these notes in my mind, but I think, that
>     it wouldn't be legal, if I would typeset it by my mind with some
>     correcting views to these editions, am I right?)

If it is a derivation of a copyrighted work, it probably does break the 
copyright holder's rights.

> Now I've the following two problems:
>
> To get a legal typesetting I need
>
>     1. An older Edition:
>        How can I get it?

I've asked this myself; maybe placing the reply here would be useful for you 
too.
On Friday March 12 2004 10:31, Chris Sawer wrote:
> In message <address@hidden> you wrote:
> > I have a copy of Bendetto Marcello's Sonata. It has a copyright of 1960
> > by 'International Music Company, New Your City'. Since he has been dead
> > since July (24th or 25th) 1739, do you have suggestions as to where I can
> > acquire access to the original, or a copy of the original that could be
> > submitted?
>
> Facsimilies of the original may be available from music stores, or in
> specialist libraries, but you're much more likely to have success in
> finding an old edition, published around 100 years ago. These can often be
> found in public libraries (depending on where you live), music stores, or
> occasionally on the web.
>
> Have you managed to ascertain the editor of the edition you have? It may be
> that the edition is out-of-copyright in itself, but the typesetting is
> modern (and therefore still in copyright). Unfortunately if the editor is
> not listed, there is no easy way of finding out, short of asking IMP
> themselves.
>
> > If I understand right, entering the copy I have into LilyPond for
> > distribution would go against the copyright laws (which few people I know
> > have any idea about when it comes to public domain).
>
> Probably, but it would be worth trying to find out whether it is in
> copyright or not.
>
> > Are there archives of music people have that they want typeset, but don't
> > want to typeset themselves?
>
> Not as far as I know of. It's quite a problem, finding music that is out of
> copyright, but don't give up!
>
> I hope this answers your questions, and my apologies for the slow reply.
>
> Chris

>     2. The "placet" from one (or better all) of these three editions:
>        How can I get this?

Someone else want to fill in; I don't follow the question. =/