Copyright registration formalities are necessary in the public interest, and therefore should be retained. The proposed bill, and even the existing law, goes too far in giving copyright owners of musical works control over public performances. Instead of extending the control to public performances without profit, the existing law should be amended so that records and rolls which have paid mechanical royalties would be free from all further contribution to copyright. The compulsory mechanical license principle would undoubtedly have been made to cover "word" music rolls in 1909 if such types of rolls had then been known, and therefore should now be extended to word music rolls. The present unfair method of basing royalty payments upon production instead of sales should be eliminated. This bill should be amended to give adequate protection to the copyright owner against financially and otherwise irresponsible manufacturers of reproducing contrivances. Respectfully submitted. MUSIC INDUSTRIES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Secretary and General Manager. The committee thereupon adjourned. X LAL N 26 |