Copyright & Media Update – 9/16/16

September 16, 2016

Songwriters: Hey DoJ, See You in Court

Songwriters and composers have been relegated to the sidelines for way too long on an issue that directly affects their livelihoods.  So today, the songwriter advocacy group Songwriters of North America (SONA), and a few individual songwriters and composers took matters into their own hands and filed a lawsuit against the Department of Justice. On Aug. 4, 2016, the DoJ announced a new rule following a two-year review of the 75-year-old consent decrees that govern the two largest U.S. performing rights organizations (“PROs”), ASCAP and BMI, requiring that these organizations must now license 100% of songs of which they only control a fractional portion.  Huh? READ MORE…

A Guide to the Department of Justice Ruling on 100% Licensing

BY STEVE WINOGRADSKY AND CHRIS CASTLE: The recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice in United States v. Broadcast Music, Inc. and United States v. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has left many songwriters, publishers, motion picture and television producers and, yes, even lawyers scratching their heads to understand the importance of the ruling.  Not to mention Texas Governor Greg Abbott who has written to Attorney General Loretta Lynch asking her to reconsider the DoJ ruling. READ MORE…

Beatles Face Lawsuit Over Shea Stadium Footage Copyright

A company representing the promoter of the Beatles’ iconic 1965 Shea Stadium gig is suing over ownership of the footage. Sid Bernstein Presents LLC is suing Apple Corps Ltd and Subafilms Limited, saying the late promoter Bernstein is the sole owner of the master tapes of the band’s performance at New York’s Shea Stadium on August 15, 1965. READ MORE…

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