IMSLP Forums

Sometimes a publisher digitally engraves a previously handwritten score, indicates no evidence of editing, and doesn't claim new copyright. Are such scores subject to the 25-year limit or effectively a reprint?

Making an engraving with no editorial claims and no "originality" does not alter the copyright status of the manuscript. If the manuscript is in the public domain then so is the engraving. Even if the publisher claims a new copyright (which happens frequently), if upon comparison of the two, you can show that no creativity or originality was exerted then the copyright claim is bogus.