2. Table 2, and the graph accompanying it, illustrate the dramatic rise in the total percentage of copyrights renewed. In 1910 renewal was made for about 32% of the works copyrighted in 1883; this percentage had doubled by 1940 and has now redoubled. Last year the total of copyrighted works renewed was nearly 15%. 3. Table 3, based on a survey of some 10,000 renewal applications entered during a recent six month period, indicates that about % of all renewal claims are asserted in the name of the author or his statutory beneficiaries, and the other by proprietors. Author claims constituted 40% of all claims submitted, and 60% of claims asserted on behalf of the author or his family. Proprietors of works made for hire claimed in 22% of all cases, and accounted for 66% of the proprietor claims. 4. The following facts, derived from our six month survey, are also worth noting: a. Number of claims given on one application: 9, 543 (88%) 49 1,255 with 2 or more (12%) 1 10, 798 b. About 10% (1,124) of the renewal applications covered derivative works (in these cases the renewal claim was based on "new matter"). c. During the six month period 102 claims were rejected as too late; of course this figure does not reflect cases where the claimant realized it was too late, and did not bother to submit an application. d. During the six month period conflicting claims were registered in 85 cases. 5. Table 4, based on a survey of 2,000 applications, indicates that more than 14 of all renewal applications are filed within the first month of the renewal year, 1⁄2 during the first three months, and about % during the last month. 6. A question that has arisen at past revision hearings involves the impact of automatic extension of subsisting copyrights if the requirement of renewal were dropped. Suppose, for example, that a new law had gone into effect on January 1, 1960, that automatically extended the duration of all copyrights then in their first term. In that event a total of 4,982,597 (roughly five million) copyrights would be given a longer term, as contrasted with approximately 15% of that number, or 750,000, if renewal registration were still required for subsisting copyrights. TABLE 2.-Renewals (1910-1959) for works copyrighted (1883–1932) 1883-1909-includes renewal registrations since separate count was not kept. **Renewals 1910-1923-14 yr. extensions are not included. TABLE 3. Categories of renewal claimants [Based on a survey of all renewal claims registered during a recent six-month period, Jan. 1-June 30, 1959, covering Registration Nos. R-227802-238599] 1. Total claims by category of claimant : Authors Proprietors: works made for hire. Next of kin_ Proprietors: posthumous works. Proprietors: corporate_ TOTAL CLAIMS.. 2. Claims by authors and their statutory beneficiaries: Authors. Widows, widowers, and/or children_ Executors- Next of kin___ TOTAL__. 3. Claims by proprietors: Works made for hire.. Composite works____ Posthumous works TABLE 4.-Date on which renewal applications are filed [Based on a survey of the first 2,000 applications passed in fiscal 1959, covering Registrations Nos. 1st week (except 1st day) 2nd month R-227802-229801] 1311 567 (28%) 213 (1st month) 1,038 (52%) |