We heartily agree with the position you presented on behalf of music publishers at the November 20, 1985 hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on copyrights chaired by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) relating to S. 1384 the Bill to legislatively reverse the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion in the Mills Music Case. Sincerely, Fraley Mills STANLEY MILLS SM:mp CABLE BERNSTEIN NEW YORK RECEIVEDDEC- 5 1985 SHAPIRO, BERNSTEIN & CO. INC. MUSIC PUBLISHERS • 10 EAST 53 STREET. NEW YORK. N. Y. 10022 December 2, 1985 Mr. Dean Kay The Welk Music Group 1299 Ocean Avenue Suite 800 Santa Monica, CA 90401 Re: Senator Specter's Bill (212) 751-3395 TELEX: 387568 Dear Dean, I read your statement on S.1384 with great interest, and congratulate Because I have been on the front lines of the music business all my This company has been in the hands of the same family since 1913 when Ralph Oman, register of copyrights, points out in his statement SHAPIRO, BERNSTEIN & CO. INC. It is a brilliant accomplishment to write a hit song. As you and I both know, it is also a brilliant accomplishment to be the publisher of a hit song. It was our taste that discovered the song, that got it rolling to begin with. It is our brains and creativity that got all those records, printed all that music, got the song performed in films and on television in commercials, etc. etc. which kept it alive. It is most difficult for me to accept the argument that we are not entitled to share in what we have also created. Our creativity is symbiotic with the writers' creativity. Without them we would have nothing; without us they would have nothing. By asserting that publishers should drop out completely during the extended term, in effect you take away the publisher's incentive to work on a song he is going to lose, say in five years. A publisher might as well spend his money on something brand new or with many years to run on the copyright. That kind of negative incentive seems to be a strange way to help writers. Sincerely стен Leon Brettler Executive Vice President LB/reb We support the position you presented on behalf of music Thank you very much for your efforts on behalf of this very important cause. Sincerely Lester iN LS: krc HOLLYWOOD: 6255 SUNSET BOULEVARD, HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA 90028 (213) 468-3643 We support the position you presented on behalf of music publishers at the November 20, 1985 hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on copyrights chaired by Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) relating to S.1384-the Bill to legislatively reverse the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion in the Mills Music Case. Sincerely yours, Muhl Fant Michael Stewart MM/11 |