If you are a lo-fi beatmaker, cinematic composer, indie filmmaker, or jazz singer, the holy grail of romantic nostalgia is a single, iconic melody: “As Time Goes By”.
Written by Broadway composer Herman Hupfeld in 1931, the song achieved cinematic immortality as the musical heart of the 1942 film classic Casablanca (“Play it, Sam”). For decades, Warner Bros. and estate publishers have guarded this composition fiercely, charging massive synchronization and publishing royalties to anyone wanting to use its timeless melody.
But on January 1, 2027, the landscape of music licensing changes forever. The original 1931 composition of “As Time Goes By” officially enters the US Public Domain.
Because smart creators are planning their 2027 album drops and video soundtracks right now, this guide breaks down the brilliant creative opportunities this song offers, along with the strict “Casablanca Traps” you must avoid to keep your music legally safe.
What Actually Enters the US Public Domain on January 1, 2027?
Under the US 95-year copyright clock, works published in 1931 are officially unlocking. For this jazz standard, this means the original 1931 composition will be completely free of copyright restrictions inside the United States.
You will have legal clearance to:
- Perform and record your own cover versions of the song.
- Chop, loop, or sample your own newly recorded instrumental versions of the melody.
- Use the original sheet music, chord progressions, and lyrics for profit.
- Distribute, stream, and sell your cover version on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube without paying publishing royalties.
The Three Great “Casablanca Traps” for Musicians
While the 1931 sheet music and melody are unlocking, navigating this specific song requires absolute precision. Warner Bros. still holds a tight grip on the elements introduced in the 1942 film. To protect your tracks from copyright strikes, you must dodge these three traps:
1. The Dooley Wilson Vocal Trap (No Sampling the Movie Audio!)
This is the single biggest trap in music history.
- The Trap: Dooley Wilson’s legendary performance as Sam singing “You must remember this…” was recorded specifically for the 1942 movie Casablanca. That specific audio recording (the master track) remains strictly copyrighted by Warner Bros. for decades to come.
- The Rule: You cannot sample the actual movie audio, Wilson’s voice, or the film’s piano track. You must record your own performance or sample a 1931 acoustic recording—such as Rudy Vallée’s 1931 hit version, which does enter the public domain on January 1, 2027.
2. The “Casablanca” Trademark Shield
Even when a song’s copyright expires, movie titles and branding elements can be protected indefinitely under trademark law.
- The Trap: Warner Bros. holds active trademarks on the title and visual branding of Casablanca.
- The Rule: While you can release your cover of the song, you cannot market your single or album in a way that suggests it is an official Casablanca product. Avoid using the film’s iconic poster font, silhouette of Bogart and Bergman, or title imagery on your album covers. Keep your branding independent (e.g., “Vintage 1931 Jazz Standard”).
3. The Global Copyright Divide (The Life + 70 Year Split)
Because Herman Hupfeld passed away in 1951, global copyright timelines for this song are split.
- The Trap: In “Life + 70” jurisdictions (such as the European Union, the UK, and Canada), Hupfeld’s catalog entered the public domain on January 1, 2022. However, in the United States, works published in 1931 had to wait out the full 95-year corporate clock.
- The Rule: US creators must wait until the stroke of midnight on Jan 1, 2027, to legally monetize or distribute their covers in the US. If you are distributing globally before 2027, ensure your distribution settings restrict US availability until the official release date.
Creator Blueprint: What You Can and Can’t Do
To protect your music or film business, use this strict boundary checklist when planning your next release:
What You Can Do:
- Record and sell original covers: You can hire a vocalist to sing the timeless lyrics and release the track on major streaming services.
- Build lo-fi beat tapes using the chords: You can program, loop, or play the chord progression on a rhodes piano, layering it with vinyl crackle and drums for a lo-fi jazz vibe.
- Use the melody in indie film scores: You can have an instrument play the melody in your video game or movie soundtrack without paying synchronization fees.
- Republish 1931 sheet music: You can print, format, or sell vintage-styled sheet music prints of the original 1931 layout.
What You Cannot Do:
- Sample the movie soundtrack directly: Keep your samplers completely clear of any audio ripped from the 1942 Casablanca film.
- Use film-exclusive dialogue: Do not sample movie dialogue like “Here’s looking at you, kid” or “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By'” in your track, as the film screenplay remains strictly copyrighted.
- Evoke protected movie branding: Keep your album covers, single art, and video descriptions clear of the trademarked Casablanca name, typography, or character likenesses.
Disclaimer: This article documents US copyright law transitions for works published in 1931. International public domain laws vary. This guide is for educational purposes and does not substitute for formal legal counsel.
Are you ready to play it?
The countdown to 2027 is officially on. Are you planning to drop a smooth lo-fi remix of this legendary standard, or are you arranging a classic vocal cover?