So let's say you're wondering 'whuh?' at this. A detailed explanation:
http://futureofmusic.org/article/fact-sheet/right-terminate-musicians%E2%80%99-guide-copyright-reversion
And the bomb may have just gone off:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/village-people-ymca-lawsuit-victor-willis-321576
A California federal judge has given Village People original singer Victor Willis a big victory in a case that has been closely followed in the music industry.Last year, Willis terminated rights to his share of the group's songs, including the monster hit, "Y.M.C.A." Scorpio Music and Can’t Stop Productions, the two companies that administer publishing rights to the group's songs, reacted by going to court for a judgment that Willis couldn't regain control over his work.On Monday, California judge Barry Ted Moskowitz rejected the publishers' claims, granting Willis' motion to dismiss.
Last year, Willis terminated rights to his share of the group's songs, including the monster hit, "Y.M.C.A." Scorpio Music and Can’t Stop Productions, the two companies that administer publishing rights to the group's songs, reacted by going to court for a judgment that Willis couldn't regain control over his work.
On Monday, California judge Barry Ted Moskowitz rejected the publishers' claims, granting Willis' motion to dismiss.
As noted later in the article:
When the Copyright Act amendments went into effect in 1978, it meant that songwriters could 35 years later terminate copyright grants to publishers and record labels. If they were to do so, however, they need to send their termination notices not less than two or more than ten years from the intended termination date. The result is that 2013 is the first year where musicians can effectuate a termination notice and a number of them who created works in the late 1970s are now under the clock to do so or forfeit the right for the foreseeable future.It's a ticking time bomb for the music industry as artists such as Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Tom Petty have sent their own notices, and thus, the lawsuit by Scorpio and Can't Stop to prevent Willis from making his own termination became one of the industry's first and most important legal battles on this front.
It's a ticking time bomb for the music industry as artists such as Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Tom Petty have sent their own notices, and thus, the lawsuit by Scorpio and Can't Stop to prevent Willis from making his own termination became one of the industry's first and most important legal battles on this front.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 19:03 (1 year ago) Permalink
paging john fogerty
― 10. “Pour Some Sugar On Me” – Tom Cruise (contenderizer), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 19:11 (1 year ago) Permalink
Very interesting. I'm not sure I understand the legalese, though. Does that just mean Victor Willis (or whoever) can give notice that their label/song publisher can no longer sell their records or profit from their songs and that the musician gets his master recordings, rights to sell/license/etc. back?
― some dude, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 19:26 (1 year ago) Permalink
that's what it seems like to me. because it can be hard to determine the value of a work/recording at the time, this gives artists/musicians a chance to regain control and enter into new/more lucrative ventures with their works.
― call all destroyer, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 19:33 (1 year ago) Permalink
xpost -- As I understand it, pretty much, though there's doubtless more I'm missing -- a lot of it comes down to the validity of the work for hire argument as well being advanced by the companies. The Eagles, especially Don Henley, are also champing at the bit on this one.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 19:34 (1 year ago) Permalink
available exclusively on classicrockdudes.com
― yo just a couple (Matt P), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 19:36 (1 year ago) Permalink
keeping my fingers crossed for a giant shitshow
― yo just a couple (Matt P), Tuesday, 8 May 2012 19:39 (1 year ago) Permalink
An NYT post that sets things clearer:
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/village-people-singer-wins-a-legal-battle-in-fight-to-reclaim-song-rights/
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 8 May 2012 21:00 (1 year ago) Permalink