a performing rights license. They would have to get it from these three music-licensing organizations, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), or Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC). (http://www.sls.lib.il.us/reference/html) Duration of a copyrightCopyright limits do not last forever the copyright protection does end. The copyright protection is limited to a period of time. That period is based on the life of the creator. Copyright begins on the "day" of creation. The Copyright Act was amended in 1976, and took effect in 1978. (Baskerville 83) The duration of a copyrighted work was recently renewed in 1998. (http://www.umi.com/copyrght/Part 3/html) The duration of protection on a copyrighted works granted to the public is life plus 75 years as long as it was copyrighted before the creator has died. (http://www.umi.com/copyrght/Part 3/html) In cases where one has a "work for hire" situation it is life plus 95 years. (http://www.umi.com/copyrght/Part 3/html) Work for hire is simply corporate ownership of the works. The creator of the work gives up the copyright property right to who ever hires them. The duration of a copyrighted work is sometimes difficult to estimate. The date after the copyright symbol ( 2001) can help determine the date of creation. When you see many dates after the copyright symbol this just mean that one work was created on date and others were created another year. (http://www.umi.com/copyrght/Part 3/html) After the protection time is up, the copyright owner may renew his or her registration. The copyright owner will receive an additional 67 years, for a total of 95 years. (http://www.umi.com/copyrght/Part 3/html) ConclusionIn conclusion, copyright law is a major aspect of the music business industry. It protects new and old artist from having their original forms of expression stolen. A performing artist or songwriter s...
