Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
MAY 27, 1922
MUSIC TRADE
113
REVIEW
IMPORTANT COPYRIGHT BILL NOW BEFORE CONGRESS
Measure Which Will Permit the Admission of the United States Into the International Copyright
Union Has Been Introduced in Lower House—Presents Many Advantages to Publishers
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 20.—A bill introduced
in Congress will for the first time give Ameri-
can authors international copyright protection
and permit the U. S. entering the International
Copyright Union, heretofore denied this country.
The measure, known as the Tincher bill, has
the backing of American and foreign authors. If
passed it will mark the most important step
t;iken in copyright matters in a decade. It is an
amendment to the present copyright law, the
provisions of which have been to the benefit of
publishers and printing trades for many years.
The Tincher bill aims at the repeal of all pro-
visions requiring the printing and manufacture
of literary works within the U. S. of any authors,
native or foreign, in order to secure a copyright.
The present law provides copyright be granted
only on condition the work be printed from
type set or plates made in the U. S. and that
all books must be bound here.
The amendment repealer in doing away with
the present requirements provides that the U. S.
may become a party to the Berne Convention
and may join the International Copyright
League. Not only would foreign authors be re-
lieved of the onerous printing provisions of the
present law, but they would not even be required
to register their works here. The registration
provisions of the bill apply only to American
authors and publishers. Under the new meas-
ure any foreign works upon being granted a
copyright by a country which is a member of the
International Copyright Union would automati-
cally come under copyright protection in the
U. S. That would apply vice versa for American
works in member countries of the Union. The
copyright laws cover all books printed, maga-
zines or publications offered for sale.
The pending measure was probably hastened
by the passage last year by the Canadian Par-
liament of a bill requiring American works to be
printed within the Dominion before copyright
protection be extended. The measure was re-
taliatory but has never been placed in opera-
tion. If the Tincher measure becomes law the
Canadian law may be withdrawn.
The practice of copyright exchange by the
U. S. has up to now called for copyright treaties
with the various countries. There are no copy-
right relations between the U. S. and the Central
Empires (Germany and Austria), the new coun-
tries such as Czecko-Slovakia nor with Russia.
Material from those countries, whether in the
form of plays or books, has no technical stand-
ing so far as copyright is concerned. It has been
maintained that American managers or publish-
ers buying such works are taking a chance, as it
is a question if the courts would recognize the
foreign copyrights because of the absence of
treaties.
The passage of the Tincher bill would doubt-
less clear the situation, as all countries except
SUCCESSFUL NEW WEDDING SONG
BRIDAL D A M
WORDS BY HELEN TAYLOR
MUSIC BY
the U. S. belong to the International Copy-
right Union and are supposed to have maintained
membership.
The bill incorporates new works in addition
to the "literary and artistic,'' which includes the
drama. The additions arc noted in clause three,
which extends "to authors of works of archi-
tecture and choreographic works and panto-
mimes" equal copyright provisions. The added
works of dancing and pantomime pertain espe-
cially to the stage. Pantomime may be con-
strued to include picture scenarios.
E. C. MILLS ISSUES WARNING
Director of Music Publishers' Protective Asso-
ciation Points to Necessity of Care in Allowing
Broadcasting Stations the Use of Songs
SONGS THAT SELL
Irving Berlin's Latest,
Greatest Song Hit
Some Sunny Day
Granny
You're My Mammy's Mammy
Tuck Me to Slee£ In My Old
Tucky Home
Poor Little Me
You Can Have [very Light On Broadway
(Give Me One Little Light at Home)
Klcky-Koo-
KIcky-Koo
You for Me—Me lor You
E. C. Mills, chairman of the board of direc-
tors of the Music Publishers' Protective Asso-
ciation, has forwarded a circular letter to the
members of his organization in which he points
out the necessity of care by publishers in al-
I Wonder Where He Went
lowing radio broadcasting stations to use their
And When He's Coming Back Blues
songs.
He calls attention to the situation that arose
just prior to the passing of the Copyright Law
in 1909. At that time a number of publishers
were greatly interested in having their numbers
From the Music Box Revue
mechanically recorded, laboring under the im-
pression that the exploitation of their works in
From t h i Mmle Box Revut
record and roll form redounded to their benefit.
Naturally, this proved an obstacle that had to
be surmounted at the series of hearings held by
From the Musie Box Revu*
Congress before passing the present Copyright
Law.
The Melody Song Hit ol tbc Year
While there is no movement to exclude the
members of the Association from having their
songs broadcasted, the rights for the use should
be given only after the radio companies are ap-
prised of the concession on the part of the pub-
lisher. The promiscuous placing of songs in the
hands of broadcasting stations should, where
1607 Broadway, New York
now prevalent, be abandoned.
When the American Society of Composers,
Authors and Publishers completes its arrange-
DAREWSKI RENEWS WITH BERLIN
ments for the use of copyrighted material by
the larger broadcasting stations the fact that Saul Bornstein, Returning From Continental
musical copyrighted works cannot be obtained
Trip, Reports Herman Darewski Renews Con-
for the mere asking will avoid much needless
tract to Handle Berlin Catalog in Europe
work.
Lonesome Hours
Universal Dance Folio No. 2
Say It With Music
Everybody Step
They Call It Dancing
Just a Little Love Song
IRVING BERLIN, Inc.
BERLIN GETS '^ABIE'S LULLABY"
Irving Berlin, Inc., has just closed arrange-
ments with B. D. Nice & Co., Inc., whereby the
Berlin organization has taken over the publica-
tion of Lee David's new song, "Abie's Lullaby."
It is said this number was written by Mr. David
to commemorate the advent of a first-born,
Charles Lionel David.
Saul Bornstein, general manager of Irving Ber-
lin, Inc., who, as announced in these columns last
week, returned to his desk after a short stay in
Europe, announces that Herman Darewski has
again contracted with Irving Berlin, Inc., to han-
dle the Berlin catalog in England for a period of
years.
Mr. Bornstein returned to this country ahead
of schedule, owing to his mother being sud-
denly stricken ill. However, at last reports Mrs.
Bornstein had shown a decided improvement in
her condition.
A. J. STASNY RETURNS
Head of Stasny Music Co. Back Home After
European Trip
ENDORSED AND SUNG WITH GREAT
SUCCESS BY
A. J. Stasny, of the A. J. Stasny Music Co.,
returned to New York late last week after spend-
ing several months in Europe. After a short
visit at the New York offices of his company he
departed for the Middle West, where he will
make a circuit of the larger trade centers.
JOHN McCORMACK
NEW INCORPORATION
EASTHOPE MARTIN
PUBLISHED BY
ENOCH & SONS
56 East 34th St.
New York
The Secretary of the State of New York grant-
ed a certificate of incorporation to the Clarence
Williams Music Pub. Co., New York City. The
incorporators are: C. Williams, P. G. Raingcr
and S. Brooks. The company has offices in the
Gaiety Theatre Building, New York City.