It’s been a busy summer this year. I’m proud to announce that our Legal Issues in the Music Industry book is #45 on Lulu’s all-time list of legal publications. Even more good news, The Teacher’s Guide to Copyright is now available on the iTunes Bookstore. This is our first publication to be available in print-on-demand, PDF instant download, Amazon Kindle, and ePub formats. - - MJD

It’s been a busy spring semester for me. Over 70 students for my Legal Issues in the Music Industry class at Loyola Univ., and BPCC; plus a dozen more in Legal Issues 2.The Northeastern Univ. grad school class on copyright in distance learning starts this week, and I’ve been finishing up the Legal Issues text conversion from PDF to ePub iBook download format. - mjd

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve been invited to speak to the faculty of NSU this week. As you may know, they have an extensive online curriculum, and I’ll discuss copyright, Fair Use, and especially the application of the TEACH Act to distance learning. - MJD

ePub & Kindle versions of Legal Issues in the Music Industry are in their final galley proofs. Look for them at LuLu.com & Amazon.com. - MJD

Prices have dropped to $9.99 for the Kindle version of The Teacher’s Guide to Copyright. - MJD

I’m pleased to announce the publication of Buzzgig’s latest effort: Legal Issues in the Music Industry, published today on www.Lulu.com. It is the culmination of 9 years of lectures to my class at Loyola University, New Orleans.  - MJD

BuzzGig’s newest publication, Legal Issues in the Music Industry, is now in galley proofs, preparing for a January release. - - - MJD

   Two years ago we released the Complete Copyright Kit for Composers & Musicians, our first foray into e-publishing.  Summer of 2008 saw the release of The Teacher’s Guide to Copyright in paperback, PDF, & Kindle editions.  So, what’s next? I just finished the draft of Legal Issues in the Music Industry, based on the class I’ve been teaching at Loyola University since 2001.  It covers copyright, music publishing, record labels, infringement, royalties, and a whole lot more.  Unlike other books written by lawyers, it’s not boring.  Keep tuned. - - - MJD

This week I’m honored to be a guest online facilitator for Northeastern’s graduate level class “Legal and Intellectual Property Issues for Distance Learning”. It’s only been a day, and the students’ questions are keeping me on my toes.

What I’ve learned so far is that educators have a real need for clear & practical copyright information.  - - - MJD

An interesting article from The Public Domain website about Congressional hearings on the 1909 Copyright Act.
http://www.thepublicdomain.org/2009/07/17/were-we-smarter-100-years-ago/
My comments:

An important point of clarification is in order here.  The piano rolls were not “sound recordings”. They were mechanical reproductions of compositions. The argument was that you couldn’t “read” a piano roll as you could “read” sheet music. Therefore the rolls weren’t “writings” protected by statute. The compulsory license was instituted to balance out the concerns of both sides. Sound recordings were not copyrightable in the United States until February 15, 1972. They were however protected under state property laws. - - MJD