Law Commons^™

You Don't Own Me: Why Work For Hire Should Not Be Applied To Sound Recordings, William Henslee, Elizabeth Henslee

Journal Publications

Many recording artists and songwriters never reap the rewards of their work. America's first professional songwriter died in poverty at the age of thirty-seven. At the Congressional level the situation has described recording artists as "one group of creators who get ripped off more than anybody else in any other industry". As we approach 2013, there will be a new line of cases that deal with authors of sound recordings attempting to terminate their copyright assignment to the record companies. While the most efficient and frugal solution would be legislative action, the most probable outcome is expensive, fact-intensive litigation. Congress …

Marybeth Peters Is Almost Right: An Alternative To Her Proposals To Reform The Compulsory License Scheme For Music, William Henslee

Journal Publications

Since Napster made mass digital downloads and online piracy available and accessible in June of 1999, the music industry has been under attack. Traditionally, record companies have received their revenue from phonorecord sales and use of the music in film, television, and advertisements. Performers have received their income from record companies based on a percentage of the sales income after the company has recouped its investment in the artist.

With the current technology and digital marketing available, all of the players in the music business believe that the revenue distribution models need to change but, to date, have been reluctant …