Music Copyright Use Limitations

Copyright laws regarding music should be structured such so that the fair use principle would allow the duplication of the purchased work for personal uses and the playing of the work, without restrictions, in infrequent (less than 12 per year) private or public gatherings, such as parties, weddings, etc., of less than 500 people. Permission from music artists should be obtained when their works are played to groups larger than 500 individuals, or by organizers of frequent events (defined as 12 or more per year) that are attended by a significant number of people (an average of 100 or more).

Permission should not be required, and no restrictions should be placed on the playing of music from the radio, either in public or in private and regardless of the size of the listening audience as long as the radio broadcasts are not edited in any way, including for the removal of commercial advertisements or radio station identification. Radio broadcasts are public activities. However, it should be illegal to record and replay radio/TV broadcasts to large gatherings (in accordance with the size limit rules stated above) without the permission of the station.

Length of Time Under Copyright Protection

Copyright protection should automatically last for 50 years from date of publication, with options for the author (or any other person holding the rights at the time) to purchase additional years of protection for an additional cost, while still under the original 50 year protection period.

Government Material Copyrights

The government should copyright all of its publications but also simultaneously permit all domestic entities (citizens or domestically-based businesses) to use such works without requiring permission. Foreign entities (either non-citizens or businesses based in foreign countries) should be required to pay a fee to purchase the legal right to use this copyrighted information.

All government publications should be priced at least high enough to cover all costs associated with their production.