On behalf of the Foundation Press, Inc., I urge your subcommittee's approval of a bill implementing u.s. accession to the Berne Convention. The marketplace for copyrightable books, software and other works is increasingly global in scope. America's creative autiwors, ariisis and companies nced effective international protection for their works; protection which assures them just recompense for their creativity, protects their works from increasing piracy abroad and encourages their continued creative effort.

Our company is extensively involved in the sale and distribution throughout the world of textbooks and other legal publications. International protection of these works is vital to the continued maintenance and growth of this international market. Rejection of the Berne Convention could result in restriction of protections now afforded U.S. works in member countries and a resulting loss in income from international sales and license fees.

Particularly in the area of information technology, copyright law and policy are developing and evolving as ways are sought

PUBLISHERS OF QUALITY LEGAL MATERIALS

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to deal with questions raised by new technology. Decisions are being made which will affect this country's position as an international leader in this market. The U.S. should have a voice in determining this policy. Adherence to the Berne Convention will assure the u.s. a continued role in the development of international copyright policy which vitally affects so many u.s. companies and individual authors.

As to fears that adherence to Berne would affect authors' moral rights in their works, they are simply unfounded. France, Japan and numerous other member countries provide moral rights to their authors which are similar to those existing in the U.S. Adherence to Berne would in no way necessitate a change in the protection afforded to moral rights.

We perceive no drawbacks to U.S. membership in Berne. The changes required to our current law are minimal and do not reduce the copyright protection afforded in this country. The level of protection provided by Berne is high, and U.S. membership will allow us to ensure that it remain so. The benefits of membership are substantial and far-reaching. We therefore urge you to vote in favor of a Bill implementing membership of the United States in the Berne Convention.

Aaron Copland School of Music

March 18, 1988

Hon. Robert Kastenmeier
Rayburn House Office Building
Room 2328
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Kastenmeier:

Isn't it about time that the United States ratified the Berne Convention on international copyright protection? As an American composer, educator and musician, I find it incomprehensible that our country should not have endorsed fan international agreement of such importance. I urge you to support the various bills, HR1623, HR2962, 51301 and 51971, which are before the Congress at the present moment. I am sure that musicians throughout our country will appreciate your efforts.

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

March 25, 1988

The Honorable Robert W. Castenmeier
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2328
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Castenmeier:

As a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, I am writing in support of H.R. 1623, H.R. 2962, S1301 and s1971. I am convinced that it will be helpful to creative musicians in the United States if our country will adhere to the provisions of the Berne Convention in the use of copyrighted material.

American copyrighted musical works are very popular abroad. They generate a significant positive trade surplus--one of the few bright spots in an otherwise negative foreign trade balance. I have personally experienced what it means when my own musical compositions have been pirated abroad. It will be helpful to all of us if our works are fully protected wherever they are used.

I urge your support of these measures, whether they come to a vote this year or next.

Yours most sincerely,

“Harmony Hall"

SPEB SOSA

SOCIETY FOR THE PRESERVATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT

OF BARBER SHOP QUARTET SINGING INAMERICA

INCORPORATED

March 28, 1988

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

6315 - 3rd Avenue Kenosha, WI 53140 5199

(414) 654-9111

Hon. Robert W. Kastenmeier
Rayburn House Office

Building, Room 2328
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Honorable Kastenmeier:

I'm writing concerning H.R. 1623, H.R. 2962, s. 1301 and s.
1971.

It is time for us to make these minor revisions in our law to
allow us to join virtually every other civilized country in the
world in the Berne Convention.
Our American copyrighted works are very popular abroad,
generating trade surplus on the positive side. We need to have
the works of our authors, composers and publishers protected
wherever they are usted around the world. Thank you for your
support of these bills.

Joe Siles

Joe Liles
Executive Director

JL/cab

AN INCORPORATED, NON PROFIT, FRATERNAL AND EDUCATIONAL SING NG SOCIETY