Press Release
| La Cienega Bill Saves Pre-1978 Copyrights From Public Domain. |
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NMPA Sponsors Songwriter Lobbying Trip to Washington, D.C. On September 18th a group of well-known writers of a wealth of classic American songs traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees, and the House and Senate Leadership, concerning stand-alone legislation correcting the La Cienega decision. The trip was organized and sponsored by NMPA. The delegation (listed below with selected songs) stressed that immediate legislative action is necessary to remove the threat of loss of copyrights hanging over tens of thousands of American songwriters and music publishers, and asked that other legislative disputes not be allowed to continue to block passage. Their clear and urgent message apparently was heard. Following the delegation's visit, on September 30th, the House Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property reported H.R. 1967, a free-standing bill to correct the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in La Cienega Music Co. v. ZZ Top (see N&V, Spring 1997 No. 6025 & Summer/Fall 1996, No. 6024). There is no question that NMPA's day of Congressional visits on September 18th was key in building support for prompt action on this important measure. The House Subcommittee took only minutes to approve H.R. 1967. There was no substantive debate on the bill, and the only comments offered by members of the Subcommittee were extremely favorable. The Subcommittee's ranking Democrat, Barney Frank (D-MA), described H.R. 1967 as "an important piece of legislation" necessary to correct a "judicial error." Congressmen Sonny Bono (R-CA) and Howard Berman (D-CA) also commented on the importance of the bill to restoring fair treatment for songwriters and music publishers. Support from Subcommittee members who were present was unanimous. H.R. 1967 embodies the approach to La Cienega correction passed by the House of Representatives in the last Congress in that it would allow plaintiffs in pending copyright infringement actions to take advantage of the legislative clarification restoring the Second Circuit rule Rosette v. Rainbo Record Manufacturing Corp. On Tuesday, October 7, the full House Judiciary Committee favorably reported H.R. 1967. The favorable Committee action clears the way for prompt consideration of the bill by the House of Representatives. Key Judiciary Committee Republicans and Democrats are all working to ensure that H.R. 1967 is taken up on the "suspension calendar," the process under which the House approves non-controversial measures. At press time, it is believed that the House vote could come as early as the week of October 20, when Congress returns from its Columbus Day recess. Songwriter Delegation: Herb Alpert - founder Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass, Dancing in the Light Alan & Marilyn Bergman - lyricists of The Way We Were, The Windmills of Your Mind Irving Burgie - Day-O (Banana Boat Song), Jamaica Farewell Felix Cavaliere - co-founder The Young Rascals, Beautiful Morning, Groovin' Guy Clark - Desperados Waiting for a Train, Heartbroke Cy Coleman - Hey Look Me Over, If My Friends Could See Me Now Ingrid Croce, widow of Jim Croce - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown, Time in a Bottle Chip Davis - founder Mannheim Steamroller, Fresh Aire series, Convoy Lamont Dozier - You Keep Me Hangin' On, I Cry for You Jerry Fuller - Travelin' Man, A Woman's Touch John Hartford - Gentle on My Mind, I've Heard That Tear Stained Monologue... Wayland Holyfield - Could I Have This Dance, Some Broken Hearts Never Mend Ginnie Mancini, widow of Henry Mancini - Moon River, The Days of Wine and Roses Dennis Morgan - Kansas City Lights, I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool John Sebastian, co-founder Lovin' Spoonful - Daydream, Do You Believe in Magic? Randy Sharp - A Tender Lie, You Were the Light Mike Stoller, co-writer with Jerry Leiber - Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock Bobby Weinstein - Goin' Out of My Head, Hurts So Bad |
