Summary: This article explains the rules for Audio authors who would like to upload arrangements of public domain songs to Envato.
Examples of holiday tracks in the public domain (traditional versions)
Examples of holiday songs that are not in the public domain
Public Domain FAQS
What is the public domain?
Public domain refers to creative works that are no longer protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright or trademarks.
Can I submit arrangements of public domain works?
You may submit your arrangements of a public domain work for sale only if the work is in the worldwide public domain.
Can I submit multiple arrangements of the same public domain work?
Submitting multiple arrangements of the same public domain work is permitted following the Remix Guidelines i.e. 1 remix per category.
How do I know if a track is in the public domain or not?
Do your research! As a general rule songs published before 1924 are considered public domain. However please keep in mind that whilst a composition may be in the public domain, an arrangement of that song may be copyrighted. Make sure to check the status of a song before starting your work on it.
Examples of holiday tracks in the public domain (traditional versions):
- Angels from the Realms of Glory
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- Auld Lang Syne
- Gesu Bambino
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
- Jingle Bells
- O Come, O Come, Emanuel
- Silent Night
- Star Of The East
- The Twelve Days of Christmas
- We Three Kings
Examples of holiday songs that are not in the public domain:
- A Holly Jolly Christmas (Johnny Marks)
- Feliz Navidad (Jose Feliciano)
- Frosty The Snowman (Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins)
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin)
- Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) (Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman)
- I’ll Be Home For Christmas (Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram)
- It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (Edward Pola, George Wyle)
- Jingle Bell Rock (Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe)
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne)
- Little Drummer Boy (Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone)
- Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Johnny Marks)
- Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (Johnny Marks)
- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie)
- Silver Bells (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans)
- Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish)
- White Christmas (Irving Berlin)
- Winter Wonderland (Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith)