Music Copyright Extension Denied
A UK Government-commissioned review has decided there will be no extension of how long copyright on sound recordings lasts. Campaigning artists had hoped rights would be extended to 95 years from the current 50, but an independent review will recommend the terms are not extended, a well-placed government source has disclosed.
The decision means that recordings from the 1950s Rock ‘n Roll era will soon be open to free use, thus impacting a vast number of artists currenty making their living from royalties. Sir Paul should take heed, the Beatles earliest copyrights will expire in 2012.
