Re: [ARSCLIST] ^ Letter on British Copyright Term Extension

[David Lennick <dlennick@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

steven c wrote:

> >
> Except (and this was my point...) that the copyrights on the sound
> recordings
> of this "old music" AREN'T held by their creators (in the sense of
> artists)...
> nor do those people receive any income from them! Copyrights in sound
> recordings are held by the companies who made the recordings, since
> they are legally considered "works for hire" and very few of the artists'
> contracts called for royalties on record sales.
>
> Further, the companies that hold the copyrights have so far shown minimal
> interest in making any but a select few available, citing as an excuse, "We
> can't make any money on them!" All well and good...but they can also legally
> bar anyone else from making them available on the grounds of "copyright
> infringement."
>
> I have few, if any, qualms when I hear of someone being prosecuted for
> making still-in-print recordings available for download or in counterfeit
> form...that's clearly theft! However, if I decide to create and promote
> a "Greatest Hits of 1914" CD using my 78's as the source, I'm technically
> guilty of the same crime...even though my issue may be the only way a
> 21st century listener can hear the performances!
>
> Seen any Peerless Quartette reissue CD's in your local emporia...?!
>
> Steven C. Barr

Actually there's one coming from Living Era (also includes the American and
Haydn/Hayden Quartets). Whether it'll sell five copies will bear watching.

dl