MCNA Welcomes U.S. Decision on Copyright Recapture

“The members of the Music Creators North America (MCNA) coalition, led by songwriter/composers Rick Carnes of SGA, Ashley Irwin of SCL, Eddie Schwartz of MCNA and Canadian music creator Greg Johnston, welcome the decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the Vetter case, finding that US termination rights applicable to copyright assignments are global in effect,” according to MCNA advisor Charlie Sanders.

The Vetter v. Resnik appellate court decision has affirmed that U.S. copyright termination rights apply worldwide. Creators can therefore regain ownership of their copyrights not only in the US, but worldwide.

In speaking with Digital Music News, Charlie Sanders said:

“As creators have long maintained (some for over four decades), such provisions were never meant to be limited to the recapture of US rights only. The MCNA member groups congratulate attorney Tim Kappel of New Orleans and all who worked with him on this case for finally proving the point at the US federal appellate level.”

“While the decision is still being reviewed by our groups, it appears to represent an enormous victory for the American and global creator community, and a crucial, judicial recognition of Congressional intent that the US Copyright Act is primarily a statute meant to protect the rights of creators first and foremost.”