In another thread I posted… JFK’s ""Ask not what your country can do for you… “” quote is referenced, complete with sound byte.
Thinking on this, I recall the Kenny G Holiday-ish Song on his “Faith” CD in which various Sound Bytes are played, JFK, Regan, and Bush the First, to name a few.
Are statements made by the President Copyrighted? Is there some Commissioner of Presidentiality that we need to first send expressed written consent to, in order to replay presidential statements?
Would this remain true for the Vice President? If so, how far down the line will it go? If News Anchors ((Talking head type shows —Colbert but not Stuart)) are included why not Music Artists?
Section 105 of the Copyright Act of 1976 (as amended) states:
[quote=17 U.S.c. Sec. 101) A "work of the United States Government’’ is a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties.[/quote]
However, any particular recording of an official speech made by a private party would be the property of the person who made it. In that case, you would have to get the permission of that person.
Note, the fair use exception, which allows use without permission of portions of works for some uses, including educational uses and political commentary.