A fact from Song of the Women's Army Corps appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know column on 7 July 2021 (check views). The text of the entry was as follows:
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This article contains three extended quotations of lyrics - what is the copyright status of these lyrics? Nikkimaria (talk) 12:59, 1 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
Fair question. While the second version was published by a NYC song publisher as sheet music in 1943, the first two versions of the lyrics were published in the Official WAC Songbook in 1944 (a U.S. Army work product). The third version was especially commissioned by the army for the Official Song of the WACs. I'll confess my lack of knowledge of song copyright law, but I presumed as a government work product this was the property of the U.S. Army and therefore in the public domain. The UNC Greenboro host site says: "NO KNOWN COPYRIGHT. This item is believed to be in the public domain but its copyright status has not been determined conclusively." Further, I've been using yearly "Catalog of Copyright entries" from the Library of Congress as references for copyrighted song lyrics on the JDW article and despite looking specifically for it I'm unable to locate any entry for this song in any edition found (but this prolific author copyrighted everything else). BusterD (talk) 16:39, 1 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
The article indicates the first version was written before White's induction, correct? While they may have been republished in a government songbook, that doesn't in itself mean they are copyright-free. Nikkimaria (talk) 17:00, 1 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
I should add they were republished by the song's author in the songbook (with zero attribution for authorship), the officer responsible for creating the songbook for the corps. BusterD (talk) 22:16, 1 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
I want to state plainly I'm very glad this discussion is taking place. This is unusual territory for me, I'll grant. I have taken a liberty in fully quoting all the found lyric iterations of the song. If I read sources more carefully, the idea for the song and the basic rhythm were formed (variously sourced) 1) on her way to the induction center, 2) on her way home from the induction center, or 3) while riding the bus from OKC to basic training at Fort Des Moines. Actual writing of any composition would be after induction, based on sources. If I read correctly, these sources are all self-reported to the contemporary press, and continued to be self-reported as JDW's career progressed. In almost every news source, there's a statement that she intended and hoped the song would be recognized as the official song. Sources seem to indicate the song was popular among members of JDW's Autumn/Winter 1942 training unit at Fort Des Moines, where the tune caught the attention of the WAC commanding officer. A look at the copyrighted 1943 sheet music makes implication that the U.S. Army approved such copyright at the time (because she was a WAC officer serving as songwriter and music leader, sending her to NYC to work with Tin-Pan Alley songwriters on at least two occasions). Assuming I'm unable to find better sourcing, what steps would you advise I take to avoid any further infringement? Our fair use policy allows a certain amount of quotation in order to educate the reader, but I'll confess in my exultation in finding complete sets of lyrics I may have over-quoted in the moment. FTR, author became a member of ASCAP in 1948 so there's certainly a non-abstract copyright defender with potential concerns. BusterD (talk) 20:38, 1 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
The simplest option, in the absence of better sourcing, is not to reproduce the lyrics, at least not for all three and in full. One potential alternative would be {{external media}} for a performance including the lyrics. Is there anything like that available? Nikkimaria (talk) 01:50, 2 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
I've taken your advice and removed the first two versions entirely. I'd like to add portions back in quoteboxes (is there a side-by-side quotebox?) to illustrate points made in sources. Other than the YouTube video of the WAC band I'm not finding anything (unless an opening credits clip is made of the movie Francis Joins the WACs, in which a female chorus sings the entire song). BusterD (talk) 17:58, 2 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
I'm not aware of a specific side-by-side quotebox, but I think it should be possible to display two quoteboxes next to each other. Nikkimaria (talk) 00:34, 3 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
The DYK for this page is now in prep 6 so I have a week before this is on the mainpage. I'll make some tests in my sandbox and see what seems to work. Thanks again for your concern. The concern is mine too. BusterD (talk) 01:05, 3 July 2021 (UTC)[reply]
