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If you're searching for music that you can use freely - without licences or fees - you're probably looking for something in the public domain. But when does music enter the public domain in the UK, and what should you watch out for? Here's a quick guide. .
What does 'public domain' mean?
When music enters the public domain, it’s no longer protected by copyright law. That means you can usually use, perform, and share it without needing permission or paying royalties.
However, 'public domain' only applies when all relevant copyrights have expired — and there may be more than one for each piece of music.
When does music enter the public domain in the UK?
In the UK, music typically becomes public domain when:
- 70 years have passed since the composer died (musical copyright)
- 70 years have passed since the lyricist or librettist died (literary copyright)
- 25 years have passed since a sheet music edition was published (typographical copyright)
This means a piece may be public domain, but a modern edition of the sheet music may still be protected. For example, Mozart’s music is out of copyright — but a 2008 edition of his work won’t be until 2033.
Where to find public domain music
Several online libraries offer free access to public domain sheet music, such as:
Be cautious: some works available abroad may still be copyrighted in the UK. For example, music by composers who died more than 50 but fewer than 70 years ago may appear on Canadian-hosted sites but is still under copyright here.
Want more detail? Our members get full guidance on topics such as:
- Sourcing music legally
- Dealing with out-of-print works
- Understanding overlapping copyrights
Related guides
- How to check if a piece is copyrighted in the UK
- Music copyright UK: what you need to know
- Is classical music royalty-free?
We hope you find this Making Music resource useful. If you have any comments or suggestions about the guidance please contact us. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that the content of this guidance is accurate and up to date, Making Music do not warrant, nor accept any liability or responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the content, or for any loss which may arise from reliance on the information contained in it.
