Wikipedia:Featured sound candidates/Semper Paratus

Semper Paratus

Sound appears in Semper paratus, Semper Paratus (march), United States Coast Guard, and United States Coast Guard Band. The official march of a military service of the United States is a pretty big sound, EV-wise ("meaty EV" to use a term I apparently coined over at FPC).

Nominate and support. Staxringold _talk^contribs 04:11, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]
I think there are likely copyright problems here. While the audio recording is public domain as a work of the US government, the composition is subject to a separate copyright, and according to Semper_Paratus_(march), there are 3 composition dates, two of which are apparently recent enough to cause problems. It may also be ineligible for commons, and any use on enwiki would require a specific fair use justification. Non-free sounds are not eligible for featured status. This needs further looking in to. Thatcher 14:39, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I see no copyright issue. The "earliest known use" alluded to falls under PD-old, and every other composition is by a Coast Guard officer (with the original lyrics also falling under PD old, just barely in 1922, anyways). In addition, obviously, the performance and arrangement are by the Coast Guard. Plus this version doesn't have any lyrics, and this arrangement is certainly PD. Staxringold _talk^contribs 14:42, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]
But apparently you're right. This page claims "Words and Music Copyright by Sam Fox Publishing Co, Inc." *sigh* Staxringold _talk^contribs 14:52, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I don't get it, that Coast Guard source says he wrote the music while commander of the Bering Sea Forces, yet copyright is given to a private company. Staxringold _talk^contribs 14:56, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I think the key is the word "official duties". Would writing a song in one's spare time be considered part of the official duties of the captain of a cutter? To consider a modern example, many photos taken from the Hubble telescope are PD-USgov due to the involvement of NASA. But if one of the HST guys goes home at night and does an interpretive oil painting of a starscape, is it also PD? Thatcher 15:00, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

(edit conflict) I agree the lyrics are not an issue in this recording. The music was composed in 1927, which seems to qualify for copyright of 95 years [1] unless the author was a US government employee acting as part of his "official duties." The guy from the Coast Guard quartet who wrote new lyrics in 1943 might actually qualify for PD-USgov, but I'm not sure Van Boskerck does. A ship captain writing music in his spare time does not sound quite like "official duties." Thatcher 15:00, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Your NASA example makes sense. :/ Damn, so want to leave this FSC pending for the 13 years it will take for this to reach PD? :p So close to a free recording, yet so far. Staxringold _talk^contribs 15:07, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I blame Mickey Mouse. Thatcher 15:22, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Speedy close as the media is not free. Staxringold _talk^contribs 16:43, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I might wait for a third opinion, just in case I'm not infallible... Thatcher 18:57, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Nah, that FAQ is directly from the Coast Guard and says the composition is copyrighted. Staxringold _talk^contribs 19:02, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Closed Copyrighted. Shoemaker's Holiday ^{Over 206 FCs served} 19:06, 17 September 2009 (UTC)[reply]