All the talk of the lost 300 (not the Spartans) made me curious enough about music publishing, that I spent a little bit of time trying to piece together who holds publishing rights and how to acquire those rights etc and in this process came across this article from the Atlantic.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/01/old-music-killing-new-music/621339/
The article makes for some interesting reading as to what is happening with the industry. The most startling claim is that old music makes up most of the market and has lead to bidding wars from investment firms for various artist catalogs. All of these artist being either old or dead!
I have no idea what transpired between GT and the publisher of the lost 300, but after reading the article my mind goes to cost. Anyone investing in these catalogs will expect (demand) a return. At least I would. And those that can't afford the bump, would be "bumped". Because after-all, the data is clear, people are listening to the old stuff and in this day and age it is pretty easy to collect royalties, so the revenue will be coming in from somewhere.
Anyway, it's a long read but quite interesting.
In my opinion copyright laws are simply out of date. It seems they were created during the vinyl, radio and cassette heyday. None of these laws seem to consider education/learning, culture, etc.
I believe an amendment should be made to grant copyright for teaching purposes, a flat-rate for anyone who wants to teach it. It should not be within the copyright holders power to remove teaching rights. After all the song was originally released had its earnings time and is still paid whenever it is used in film, tv, radio, etc. Now it is part of the culture and should not be subject to a "bonfire of the vanities" removal from public consciousness
But heck, that is just what I think and no matter how sensible it will never be enacted because $$$... right?
But members also need to consider the possibility that copyright has been removed because the message within the old songs no longer drives the current narrative. They no longer convey the message that is wanting to be conveyed. So if copyright is removed on teaching sites then how long will it be before your streaming music sites get these songs pulled? Oh, and you sold all your CD's and cassettes to get some cash or clear up the clutter right? If they turn of the switch at the streaming site then you won't even be able to listen to those songs anymore.
This is just the tip of the spear
