IMSLP Forums

Carolus wrote: I think publishers have done much to foster the idea that all music is protected by some sort of magic super-copyright among librarians, probably in reaction to rampant photocopying of music by students (often in violation of laws) in the past.

I ran into a similar problem with the Boston Public Library: wouldn't let me photocopy a 1901 printing of a Handel score for analysis citing copyright issues. Even after explaining that a 1901 printing would be public domain, and even if the score were not PD, a single copy for academic analysis qualified under the fair use principle.