[LM_NET] Copyright question

[Kathy Hintz <kmhintz@YAHOO.COM>]

This is from Wikipedia:
"If You're Happy and You Know It" is a popular children's song, or nursery rhyme, 
of which the authorship is uncertain. The song is supposed to belong to the public 
domain, although many of the different versions of the song are still protected by 
copyright law. One such version was written by songwriter Alfred B. Smith 
(1916-2001).
 
If one wants to write something patterned after the song, using the tempo but not 
the actual words, is there a copyright issue here? How far must I go to be sure 
it's OK to do this?
 
Thanks for any help, especially if you get to it first thing in the morning.
 
 
 


Kathy Hintz, Certified SLMS

Library TA
Catskill Elementary School
Catskill, NY
The Land of Rip Van Winkle
kmhintz@yahoo.com
 
 


      

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------