Re: [ARSCLIST] Brunswick Records rights/Universal

[steven c <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James L Wolf" <jwol@xxxxxxx>
> Steven C. Barr wrote:
>
> "One point...there seems to be a lot of confusion about the
> different copyrights and terms...I've seen posts suggesting
> the 1923 date applies to recordings, when Sonny Bono made
> sure it DIDN'T!"
>
> Actually, Bono just extended the out-of-copyright date for pre-1972
recordings from 2047 to 2067. The original decision was made by Congress in
the 70's to keep the various state laws operative until 2046. Basically,
Congress gave everything pre-72 a new 75 year term under their old state
laws. Clearly, they weren't thinking about preservation issues for older
recordings. Bono just added more salt to that wound
>
At least it was some improvement over the maze of state laws, some of
which were effectively rendered eternal by a lack of any expiry dates
or terms...

Steven C. Barr