Public Domain

The following statement was issued by Church Times on 6 October 2017, the website of Hymns Ancient & Modern (copyright on published hymns):

"The current law covering hymn tunes, like any other piece of music, is covered by the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, up­­dated in line with European law in 1996.

Copyright lasts from creation of the work to the end of the 70th year after the creator’s death. Where a work is made up of music and lyrics by different creators, both music and lyrics are covered until 70 years after the death of the last of the creators to die.

...

There is also separate copyright in the typesetting of a collection, such as a hymn book. This lasts for 25 years from publication. So, unedited public-domain hymn tunes in a book published .. {more than 25 years ago} .. are free from copyright."