Answer
Copyright laws, active since about 1923 (in the US), are in place to protect the original composer(s) so that proper credit can be given to the people who spent the time to write a musical composition, and as such, they retain those rights so that their music cannot be duplicated without their express permission.
The general rules are: Life + 70 years in the US. For example, a composer who died in 1936, most of his works would become PD (public domain) in 2007. The caveat to all this copyright business are the presence of family members who can retain the copyrights until their deaths, then taking into account pro-creation within a family, the copyright can extend in perpetuity. Also if a composer gives express rights to a publisher, that will also render a copyright well beyond anyone's lifetime today.
If in doubt, write to Time-Life, and ask about a specific piece's copyright rules.
There are very stiff penalties for reproducing copyrighted materials if caught. It's just not worth the risk being sued for several million dollars when the CD can be purchased for a tiny fracation of that penalty. My 10 cents worth, anyway.
First answer by Bozidar. Last edit by Bozidar. Contributor trust: 388 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 20 [recommend question]
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