body: In the US, two speakers have a public debate. It is free of charge to all who show up at the public venue. No one is paid anything but (possibly) expenses such as travel. Any additional expenses for the debate like venue rental are paid for by a third party. There was no contract or verbal agreement regarding money beyond that the debaters would be there at a certain time and place.
  
  
  The first debater arranges for the debate to be audio recorded, and afterward posts the recording for sale online for $13. An indirect inquiry by the second debater who desires to share the recording for free on his own site receives the answer that the first debater is asserting copyright and the recording can't be shared for free.
  
  
  1. Who owns the copyright to this recording?
  2. Can the second debater share the recording (obtained by paying $13) for free legally? And give rights to others to copy it further?
  3. Is the second debater able to legally demand half of the profits?
  
  
  
title: Copyright on public debate