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# This Week in Music Publishing: Jan 20, 2012
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/this-week-in-music-publishing-jan-20-2012/
- Published: 2012-01-20T16:47:48.000Z
- Updated: 2012-01-20T16:47:48.000Z
- Description: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling this week to afford copyright protection to international works once considered 'public domain'. The ruling is a blow to a group of artists,. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2012/01/this-week-in-music-publishing-jan-20-2012.html]
- Author: admin
- Tags: Songwriting & Music Publishing, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:55

[![image from www.google.com](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e20162ffe9dcec970d-150wi "image from www.google.com")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e20162ffe9dcec970d-popup?ref=hypebot.com)

The **U.S. Supreme Court** upheld a ruling this week to afford **[copyright protection to international works once considered 'public domain'](http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/18/justice/scotus-copyrights-foreign-works/?ref=hypebot.com)**. The ruling is a blow to a group of artists, film archivists and educators – backed by Google and others – who wheeled out the Constitution's 'Progress Clause' to try avoid the need for royalty payments on the works in question.

**MORE:**

- **Legal troubles** are also befalling **the estate of Gerry Rafferty**, iconic songwriter of songs such as *Stuck in The Middle With You*, with his fiancee launching a court battle [in an attempt to win a share of Rafferty's fortune](http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2012/01/15/19246691-wenn-story.html?ref=hypebot.com).
- While in Brazil, the end of a decade-long case will see [Sony Music Brazil pay a fine of 1.3 million reais](http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/13/world/americas/brazil-racist-song/index.html?ref=hypebot.com) (U.S. $723,000) for publishing *Look At Her Hair* \- a song that sparked a racist controversy.
- Emerging indie songstress **Zola Jesus** has signed an publishing deal with **The Spirit Music Group**, who will also manage the singer's music and brand.
- A big week also for Irving **Berlin Music** as they [re-signed Rodgers & Hammerstein and Imagem Music Group](http://tunes.broadwayworld.com/article/Irving-Berlin-Music-Re-Signs-With-Imagem-MusicRodgers-Hammerstein-20120118?ref=hypebot.com) for international brand management, grand rights exploitation and music publishing in North America.
- **Apple** expanded its cloud-based streaming service **iTunes Match**, which is now available in **[another 20 countries](http://mashable.com/2012/01/17/apple-itunes-match-20-countries/?ref=hypebot.com)**.
- **Jim Cady** – CEO of internet radio service **Slacker Radio** – is concerned that [s**treaming music may not be a sustainable model**](http://www.fastcompany.com/1809061/slacker-radio-ceo-cant-say-whether-music-streaming-business-models-are-sustainable?partner=gnews&ref=hypebot.com) for the music industry. In more rosy news for artists.
- **[SoundExchange reported Q4 distributions](http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/17/4193493/soundexchange-ends-record-setting.html?ref=hypebot.com) of $89.5 million** bringing year-end payments to $292 million (up 17%).

[![Songtrust](http://blog.songtrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/SongtrustLogo.jpg)](http://www.songtrust.com/?ref=hypebot.com)

**This music publishing roundup is posted weekly by [Songtrust](http://www.songtrust.com/?ref=hypebot.com) – royalty collection for all songwriters.*