Re: Royalties for Mechanical Music
By Andy LaTorre
I have been following the discussion concerning copyright issues ever since it started. Back in November I complained about the confusion concerning the determination of whether a song is copyrighted or not. These discussions cleared up a few points for me. Thanks to all who contributed their knowledge.
I also am trying to comply with the law when I arrange music for the fairground organ. But there are so many roadblocks that it becomes extremely frustrating. In addition, I am also a user of small quantities. So the Harry Fox agency billing of $34.75 for 500 tunes becomes an intolerable expense for me. I know I am safe to use songs which were copyrighted in 1922 and before.
Now, the next level of confusion arises when one tries to contact the copyright owner of a song. I have tried contacting the publisher as stated on the sheet music, and, inaddition, the agencies such as Harry Fox and ASCAP. One of the agencies would only allow me to ask for one copyright owner per long distance phone call. I suppose one can not blame them due to the volume of calls they must receive. But, more often than not, the information given by the agency was inaccurate. Only through the kind offices of the previous publisher was I able to trace the present owner of the copyrights.
Pointer Publications allowed me to use their arrangement of "Sidewalks of New York Rock" as long as I gave them credit. My written request to Warner Brothers to re-arrange piano arrangements of popular marches went unanswered.
So, you can see the frustrations involved in this copyright thing. I want to keep within the law but am frustrated at every turn.
Andy LaTorre
Orgue Mecanique
Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA |
(Message sent Mon 6 Jan 1997, 17:31:50 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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