Music Trade Review

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Patents Committee to Write
Mechanical Copyright Bill
Following Numerous Hearings Without Agree
ment Being Reached Between Interests Com-
mittee Itself Will Write Compromise Bill
The hearings conducted before the Patents
Committee of the House on the new Copyright
Will, closed on Wednesday, April 11, with the
understanding that the committee would write
;i bill embracing the best features of both of
the bills presented by the American Society of
Composers, Authors and Publishers, and the
phonograph record companies.
The bill prepared by the phonograph record
companies with respect to copyright legislation
was presented before the committee on Tues-
day, April 10, at which time there appeared
before the committee the following representa-
tives: Alfred L. Smith, general manager, Mtxsic
Industries Chamber of Commerce; George D.
I'eattys, Aeolian Co.; Henry Lanahan, Thomas
A. Edison Co.; C. C. Baxter, Victor Talking
Machine Co., and George W. Case, Jr., repre-
senting Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co.
According to the representatives of the me-
chanical companies who presented it, this bill
carries out the compromise suggested by Albert
H. Vestal, chairman of the Committee on Pat-
ents, two years ago at the hearings at that time,
namely, that the music publishers have the right
to bargain for their copyrighted musical com-
positions by setting the rate on each one of
them, while the mechanical companies have the
right to continuance of the principle of me-
chanical license, under which when one com-
pany is given the right to record a musical com-
position, then all others have the right under
the same rate. The bill proposed and argued
by the publishers a week ago carried out this
same understanding, except that their bill would
grant copyright protection to compositions pub-
lished prior to 1909, on which there is now no
copyright protection. Such compositions were
not protected by the 1909 Act. The mechanical
companies contend that their bill leaves these
compositions in the public domain, as at pres-
ent.
The publishers' bill also would allow the
owner of a copyrighted musical composition to
record same without allowing others to do so.
It seems that this would enable the phonograph
companies to buy copyrights and record them
without giving permission to competitors, thus
violating the principle of mechanical license.
The phonograph representatives argued strenu-
ously against this.
Another important provision of the bill pre-
sented on Tuesday was one against collusion,
conspiracy and agreement among copyright
owners in setting the rates. This, according to
the phonograph record companies, is a most
important feature, but in this respect they are
energetically opposed by the music publishers.
Chairman Vestal stated that it was the desire
of the Committee to report a bill before Con-
gress adjourns.
The STAIB-ABENDSCHEIN
Lost Motion Qrand Action
American
PIANO WIRE
-
DAMP-PROOFED
are being manufactured under the able supervision of Albert Staib, who has been building
these actions for 37 years. They always have been and are to-day recognized as rep-
resenting the Highest Quality in material, workmanship, finish and for their reliability
and dependability.
The STAIB-ABENDSCHEIN CO., 134th St. &. Brook Ave.,N.Y.
Ghickering & Sons Open
Temporary Warerooms
Temporary retail warerooms at .436 Fifth
avenue, New York, were taken this week by
Chickering & Sons during the removal of the
company from its main Fifty-seventh street
warerooms to its permanent Fifth avenue loca-
tion in the Ampico Tower Building, at Forty-
seventh street. The temporary location is at
the southwest corner of Thirty-ninth street in
the site formerly occupied by the Ovington
store. The warerooms are under the supervision
of L. Schoenewald, manager of the main Chick-
ering showroom, and Russell Elam, assistant to
Mr. Schoenewald, is in charge.
New Trade-Mark Bill
WASHINGTON, D. C, April 23.—A bill providing
for the registration and protection of trade-
marks has been introduced in the House of
Representatives by Congressman Vestal, of
Indiana. The legislation is similar to other
measures dealing with the same subject, and
provides for protection for terms of twenty
years, renewable without limit. The bill defines
what may be accepted as trade-marks.
Another
Distinctive hlerriam Bench
Louis XV (No. 707)
The curves and carvings of this Period
are nicely interpreted in this superior
bench made by Merriam. Seat I5"x36",
Grand Height 19", Mahogany or Wal-
nut, Polished or Upholstered Scat,
Music Compartment.
Write for information and prices to
[AMERRIAMG).
SO. ACTON, MASS.
,
Badger Brand Plates
are built on correct
acoustic principles
— with workman-
ship and finish of
the highest grade.
No. 274
A full line of Period Benches in stock.
Can match any finish.
Write for new catalogue.
American Piano Plate Co.
THE ART NOVELTY CO.
Manufacturers BADGER BRAND Grand and
Upright Piano Plates
Goshen, Ind.
Racine, Wisconsin
Consult the Universal Want Directory ot
The Review.
George W. BraunsdorS, Inc.
Direct
Manufacturers of
Also—Felts aad
Cloths, Furnished
in Any Quantity
Punchlngi
Washers
BRIDLE STRAPS
581437th Are.
TUNERS' TRADE SOLICITED
Woodside, L. I., N. T.
"Crown"
American Steel tic Wire
Chicago - New York
Upright Piano Actions
With all main centers
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
"Perfected"
27
The Music Trade Review
APRIL 28, 1928
Company
PIANO TECHNICIANS SCHOOL
(Under Y. M. C. A. Auspicts)
Practical Shop School Tuning, General Repairs,
Rebuilding
GRANDS—UPRIGHTS—PLATERS
Stnd for catalog
Th« T. M. O. A. Plan« Technician* School
62nd and Sansom Streets.
Philadelphia, Pa.
L
U
D W I G
Grands—Uprights—Player Pianos—Reproducing Pianos
of the Highest Quality in Straight and Period Models
Ludwig & Co., 136th St. and Willow Ave., New York