Chasing the Future: Has the Digital Performance in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 Kept Pace with Technological Advances in Musical Performance, Or Is Copyright Law Lagging Behind

Authors

Steven V. Podolsky

Abstract

Ever since jukeboxes and taped music began replacing bands in many restaurants and bars, performing musicians have been deprived of earnings and protection from unauthorized performance of their work. Digital technology exacerbated the problem by creating super quality sound that can be duplicated without a loss of quality. The Internet, which has become a medium for distributing prerecorded music, has the potential for doing damage to ownership interests throughout the entire recorded music industry. In just a few seconds, anyone with Internet access can retrieve, store, and listen to the performance without paying royalties to the performers. This article discusses the protections granted to copyright owners of sound recordings by the Digital Performance in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 and examines the Act's many shortcomings.

Recommended Citation

Steven V. Podolsky, Chasing the Future: Has the Digital Performance in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 Kept Pace with Technological Advances in Musical Performance, Or Is Copyright Law Lagging Behind, 21 UC Law SF Comm. & Ent. L.J. 651 (1999).
Available at: https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hastings_comm_ent_law_journal/vol21/iss3/6