[ARSCLIST] ARSC Copyright Reform Proposal Receives Broad Support

[Bill Klinger <klinger@xxxxxxxxx>]

The following message has been posted by the Outreach Committee of the
Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC).

--- American Library Association is the sixth major organization to endorse
ARSC proposal for sound recording copyright reform ---

The Council of the 65,000-member American Library Association has voted to
endorse the Association for Recorded Sound Collections proposal that
Congress direct the U.S. Copyright Office to conduct a study on the
desirability of bringing sound recordings made before 1972 under federal
jurisdiction. Such a study would be the first step toward realizing the
first of ARSC's five major recommendations for sound recording copyright
reform, to remove pre-1972 recordings from state control and place them
under a single national law that provides for a public domain, fair use, and
preservation exemptions for libraries and archives.

Wording for legislation to authorize the study has been prepared by ARSC and
presented to the House Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and
Intellectual Property. It is being co-sponsored by Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA)
and Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH).

Five other organizations have also endorsed some or all of the ARSC
proposals, which are designed to encourage preservation of and access to
historical recordings, a majority of which are currently inaccessible due to
state laws, while respecting the legitimate interests of rights holders. The
Association of Moving Image Archivists is backing the proposal for a
Copyright Office study; and the International Association of Jazz Record
Collectors, the Music Library Association, the Society for American Music,
and the Society of American Archivists have each voted to endorse all five
of the ARSC reform proposals, which can be found at
http://www.arsc-audio.org/copyright-recommendations.html

Following is additional information on the organizations currently
supporting ARSC copyright initiatives.

The American Library Association (www.ala.org) is the oldest and largest
library association in the world, with approximately 65,000 members in
academic, public, school, government, and special libraries. Its mission is
to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of
library and information services and the profession of librarianship in
order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. The ALA
maintains an office in Washington to represent libraries on Capitol Hill.

The Association of Moving Image Archivists (www.amianet.org) is a nonprofit
professional association established to advance the field of moving image
archiving by fostering cooperation among individuals and organizations
concerned with the acquisition, description, preservation, exhibition, and
use of moving image materials. Moving images include film, television,
video, and digital formats. AMIA advocates for the acknowledgement of moving
images as important educational, historical, and cultural resources.

The International Association of Jazz Record Collectors (www.iajrc.org),
which describes itself as "a meeting ground for jazz record collectors of
all persuasions," was founded in 1964 to encourage collecting and research;
advance the cause of jazz music by creating more recognition of the great
jazz musicians; improve communications between and among collectors,
dealers, musicians, and the public; and sponsor publications, recordings,
and conferences dedicated to jazz music.

The Music Library Association (www.musiclibraryassoc.org) is the
professional association for music libraries and librarianship in the United
States. It has an international membership of librarians, musicians,
scholars, educators, and members of the book and music trades. The MLA's
purpose is to promote the establishment, growth, and use of music libraries;
to increase efficiency in music library service and administration; and to
promote the profession of music librarianship.

The Society for American Music (www.american-music.org) was founded in 1975
to stimulate the appreciation, performance, creation, and study of American
music in all its diversity, and the full range of activities and
institutions associated with that music. "America" is understood to embrace
North America, including Central America and the Caribbean, and aspects of
its cultures everywhere in the world.

Founded in 1936, The Society of American Archivists (www.archivists.org) is
North America's oldest and largest national archival professional
association. SAA's mission is to serve the educational and informational
needs of more than 5,000 individual and institutional members and to provide
leadership to ensure the identification, preservation, and use of records of
historical value.

Tim Brooks
Chair, ARSC Copyright & Fair Use Committee
tbroo@xxxxxxx


The Association for Recorded Sound Collections is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to the preservation and study of sound recordings -- in all genres
of music and speech, in all formats, and from all periods. ARSC is unique in
bringing together private individuals and institutional professionals --
everyone with a serious interest in recorded sound.