Sara Teasdale Copyright Laws?

Question

If I'm writing a song which uses text from Teasdale's "Song at Capri", do I need copyright permission? If so who do I talk to?

Answer 1

Teasdale is public domain in the United States.

Answer 2

No, you don't need permission in this case. Here's why:

Since her "Song at Capri" was originally published in 1919, the law regarding copyrights for works published in the years 1904 through 1963 state that the copyright lasts for 28 years from date of publication; if the copyright is not renewed, it lapses, and the work becomes public domain. Since she passed away in 1933, 14 years before the copyright could have been renewed, the work went into the public domain on Jan 1, 1948.