A federal judge in Louisiana has issued a groundbreaking ruling that U.S. copyright termination rules apply globally, potentially reshaping international music rights management.

The case centers on songwriter Cyril Vetter's 1963 track "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)," where the court granted him full worldwide copyright ownership from publisher Resnik Music Group. This decision challenges the traditional understanding that U.S. copyright termination rights only apply within U.S. territories.

Key Points of the Ruling:

• Termination rights under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 now apply globally
• Original authors can reclaim their copyright after a set period
• The ruling affects all territories worldwide, not just U.S. rights

Background of the Case:

• Song written in 1962 by Don Smith and Cyril Vetter
• Originally sold to Windsong Music Publishers in 1963 for one dollar
• Became a Top 40 hit in 1966 by the Swingin' Medallions
• Copyright renewed in 1994 for 28 years
• Smith's heirs sold their share to Vetter after Smith's death in 1972
• Windsong sold rights to Resnik Music Group in 2019
• Vetter exercised termination rights in 2022

Industry Impact: Resnik Music Group warns this ruling could disrupt the established international copyright system, where protection typically follows local laws rather than country of origin. The case is expected to face appeals, with significant implications for global music rights management.

This decision could fundamentally change how music copyrights function internationally, affecting publishers, artists, and the entire music industry's rights management structure.

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