‘Give Artists a Fairer Share’: Songwriter Urges SCOTUS to Let Landmark Copyright Ruling Stand
The major labels say the Supreme Court must overturn a ruling that will spark "chaos," but the guy who won it says such dire warnings are overblown.
The songwriter Cyril Vetter, who won a landmark copyright ruling in January, is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject efforts by major music companies to overturn it. In their first brief to the justices on Monday, Vetter’s attorneys argue that the music firms are exaggerating the negative consequences and that publishers are thriving even with slightly reduced bargaining power.
Publishers have long controlled overseas rights even after termination, giving them perpetual revenue and veto power in cross-border projects and deal re-negotiations. The January ruling allowed musicians to regain all their rights, including those in foreign markets, which was hailed as a "game-changer" by musicians and their advocates.
However, publishers, labels, and investors argue that the decision will cause chaos and result in billions of dollars worth of deal losses. Vetter’s attorneys emphasize that there is no circuit split (no prior rulings from federal appeals courts on the issue) and that the termination statute does not have geographical limits, meaning the text of the law does not support the music companies' concerns.
They also note that the high court has heard similar warnings before and predicted that industries adapt and become fine in the end.
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