Record Industry Braces for Artists’ Battles Over Song Rights
 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/ar...s.html?_r=1&hp

"When copyright law was revised in the mid-1970s, musicians, like creators of other works of art, were granted “termination rights,” which allow them to regain control of their work after 35 years, so long as they apply at least two years in advance. Recordings from 1978 are the first to fall under the purview of the law, but in a matter of months, hits from 1979, like “The Long Run” by the Eagles and “Bad Girls” by Donna Summer, will be in the same situation — and then, as the calendar advances, every other master recording once it reaches the 35-year mark."


This could be an interesting battle. Too bad Rumours was made too early fall under this law.

Wow thanks for the story.Let see what would happen.

Can FM Reclaim Its Music from Label?
 

Perth Now, August 17, 2011 [FM's picture is featured in the article]
http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/...-1226116806582

Music legends reclaiming recordings

THE world's leading music labels, their fortunes already in decline in the age of the internet, are confronting an even greater threat to their survival: the singers and songwriters of yesteryear.
A timebomb that has been ticking for three and a half decades is about to detonate, The (London) Times reported Wednesday - with artists whose music has generated millions of dollars for record labels now able to take back ownership of their recordings.

Under a US copyright law from 1978, artists who sold themselves to the recording companies could reclaim their copyright, and the precious royalties that go with it, in 35 years. All they need to do is file "termination claims" at least two years in advance.

As the deadline approaches the aging stars of rock'n'roll are reaching for their lawyers. Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Bryan Adams, Tom Waits and Kris Kristofferson are already reported to have filed claims with the US Copyright Office. Other music legends appear ready to join battle.

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Kenneth Abdo, an entertainment lawyer based in Minnesota, fired the first shot in 2006 on behalf of a fellow Minnesotan, Steven Greenberg and Greenberg's disco classic, "Funkytown." He later went on to file claims on behalf of Kool and the Gang and others who he cannot name, striking at record labels where it would really hurt, in their back catalog. "They are liable to lose a large part of their business," he said.

In recent months the tempo has increased and large numbers of musicians and their lawyers have begun to play this particular legal instrument. Don Henley, founder of the Eagles and the Recording Artists' Coalition, has been leading the charge and Lee Phillips, a Los Angeles-based lawyer who has counted the Eagles and Barbra Streisand among his clients, has begun filing notices.

"I cannot reveal clients' names, but this will be an ongoing story," he said in an email cited by The Times. "Record labels are not going to accept the terminations, I believe."

The Recording Industry Association of America, a Washington lobby group, disputes the musicians' claims. Stephen Marks, its general counsel, said, "We believe the termination right doesn't apply to most sound recordings." The labels are preparing to argue that the albums they released were "works for hire," that musicians were effectively employees and the fruits of their labors always belonged to the companies.

This kind of rampant greed is why few people feel bad about illegal downloading of music.