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

[steven c <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Olhsson" <olh@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Steven C. Barr wrote:
> >IMHO, the music/record industry (which will be merged into a single
> >mega-corporation by then and may LITERALLY own governments...) will
> >eventually take full control of ALL music...and ALL access thereto.
>
> As a matter of fact the only reason the government, corporations and rich
patrons NO LONGER have TOTAL control of all music and access to it is the
fact that individuals became entitled to equity in the music they create and
could earn a living by selling the right to listen to it. There is actually
a very serious freedom of speech issue if individuals can no longer afford
to perform or distribute their own music. Take away copyright and it turns
our most gifted performers and composers into employees of the upper class.
>
> Myself, I find the idea of having to buy real estate, healthcare and food
far more unjust than having to buy old music recordings from the descendants
of the folks who created them.
>
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