Federal Court Rules US Music Copyright Termination Rights Apply Globally, Sparking Industry Concerns
A federal judge in Louisiana has issued a groundbreaking ruling that U.S. copyright termination rules apply globally, potentially reshaping international music rights management. The case centers on songwriter Cyril Vetter's ownership claim to the 1963 track "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)."
Blindfolded Justice with golden balance scales
The ruling challenges traditional understanding of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976's termination rights. Previously, when authors reclaimed their copyrights, it only affected U.S. rights. The new ruling suggests these termination rights apply worldwide.
Key points of the case:
- Vetter can reclaim full copyright ownership globally from publisher Resnik Music Group
- Resnik warns this could disrupt the established international copyright system
- The original song was sold to Windsong Music Publishers in 1963 for one dollar
- Copyright renewal occurred in 1994, extending rights for 28 years
- Co-writer Don Smith's heirs sold their share to Vetter after Smith's death in 1972
- Resnik acquired rights from Windsong in 2019
- Vetter exercised termination rights in 2022, 56 years after the original copyright
The Court's decision will likely face appeal, as Resnik's legal team argues it could create chaos in international copyright management. The case highlights growing tensions between territorial copyright laws and global music rights administration.
The ruling's implications could fundamentally change how music copyrights function across international borders, affecting publishers, songwriters, and the entire music industry's existing rights management structure.