New-York tribune., 1911-01-05
ALL MUST PAY TO PLAY
Society of Authors Opens Local
Office to Enforce Royalties.
HEADQUARTERS IN PARIS
Practically Ali Noted Composers
Members of Organization to
Protect Copyright.

Practically All Noted composers
Members of Organization to
Protect Copyright.
one OF this new years most important
revolutions-which may he described as
put into efect-will be the en-
rorcement of the copyright Law in this
as regards musical compositions.
The machinery has been installed in q
suite OF offices at No 1855 Broadway. in
the person Of Ovide Robillard. legal repre-
sentative of the Society OF Authors, Com
posers and Publishers OF Music, Incorpor-
sted. which, in turn. IL the official repre-
sentative In this country Of the Societ&
des Auteurs, Composteurs et Editeurs de
Musique. with headquarters in Paris.
Mr. Robilard. who ten years ago was
we'll known as counsel for the French con-
sulate In this city. returned last August
from decades residence in Paris. empov-
cred by the French society 70 exact from
restaurants hotels. orchestras and concert
short, from all purveyors Of
piece music for A proft-thc royalties due
the celebrated members Of his society for
the performance OF their copyrighted work.
The Law requiring that lie who performs
in public for commercial purposes the
work Of a copyright claimant shall pay
10 the claimant royalty has been on the
federal statute books since 1891. The year
1911. two decades later. will see the hrst
serious attempt to enforce It, an attempt
which NJ. Robillard says is bound TO sue
ceed.
To give an idea OF the far reaching con-
sequences on this move IL Is only neces-
sary 10 say that the parent society includes
In its membership practically every promi-
nent author composer or publisher ot
music abrosd Puccini, whose Cir or the
Golden West" music Is already IN demand
the country over. Is member 20 Is
Humperdlnck. composer Of the no less
popular new opera, Konigskinder, ana
who Is about % bring forth '1so-
bel" at the Metropolitan. Fellow members
equally illustrious are Massenet, Pade-
-ewski. Debussy Ernesco. Lalo, Leo Fall.
Strauss. saint-SsEns. Lchsr, Dubois and
Faure. So far only one American composer
Is a member.
NJ Robilard was unwilling 10 give MS
name last night. but he remarked that this
astopishment. a substantial check from the
society. representing its collection Of his
royalties from purveyors Of music all over
Europe.
Americans May Join.
The society has been collecting these
in Europe for its members during
2 period OF sixty years VI. Robillard wants
the American composers who can qualify
70 Ioin the society and give him their sup
port in collecting them here.
"Ou- case" said he lis the case OF every
American composer and author OF music.
With a number Of American members the
society would use its influence In having
American music played more widely
abroad We are anxious TO welcome every
American author and composer who can
qualify into the society.
You NAV say that we don't come here
in belligerent mood, that We are not look
ing for trouble. But we are here TO stay,
and We will see 70 II that our rights are
respected We shall begin with New York.
and gradually extend our agencies
throughout the country until from every
public professional performance OF the
music
Just royalty. as provided by law"
VI. Robinard got 10 work on the pro-
limnaries when he opened his Offices last
September In November the American So
ciety was incorporated AZ Albany. on New
Yedr's Day he dispatched 10 a long list OF
restaurant and hotel proprietOrs, theatre
and concert managers, orchestra leaders
and so on I'm the United States a printed
notice
Notice to Musical Purveyors.
The circular said I'm part:
We assume that YOU employ musicians
who have heretofore and are now. or who
performing musical compost
lions by famous authors and composers.
This ie 10 inform YOU that the under
signed has been appointed the official rep
in the United states for the
S0ciete des Auteurs. tOmposlL"Li- ~ I'd
.eurs De Musique, 10 Rue Cha9.a Paris,
France.
The Societh was organized I'm France in
1851 rOr the protection OF authors aud com
o0sers' rights throughout the world. ana II
has included. since is foundation. as mem
Yer- the leading authors and composers Ot
all natiOnalities. ~ has now more tnan
ten thousand members.
In European countries. IN order to per
FORM the musical compositions Of the mem
Ders OF the SOcihte IN public places. per-
nit must first he obtained from the Societe
Or one Of rs branches. under Wh.cn COM
pensation is agreed 10 DE- p'lu i"I SUCH
p Acrins under the authority Of the copy
right law Of the United States of America
We now inform you that We shall
,e ready 10 deliver 70 you, on or after Jan
nary I. 1911, upon application, permit for
certain public Performance by YOU OF the
musical compositions or au-
.b6rs and composers or claimants or copy
-;qh+ members Of the SOCiett des Auteurs,
rGpnosfteirs 81 Editeurs de Musique, upon
,,our coruUlying with the agreement % pay
therefor. ,, -
should YOU prefer not 10 obtain such per,
,jt vou are requested 10 refrain az al
ZINES from performing such copyrighted
works of the members thereof
This notice was accompanied by little
.lip containing extracts from the United
states copvrtght law. which provides that
an Injunction may be obtained restraining
,,,. infringement OF copyright and that
gn the case of dramatic or dTamatico-musi-
al or A choral or orchestral composition
,Is nerson guilty Of infringement shall
nav 20 the copyright proprietor 800 for
ha frat and SFO for every subsequent in
,rirring performance, and in the case OF
otbar musical compositions 80 for every
infringing performance.
e.,ca rsqi the members OF tive society
have Copyrighted in the United States
MANI thousands oS musical compositions
which have been played promiscuOusly in
,ubrc without the payment Of a cent OF
rovaItv I'm fact. N. RoJIlard's expert
.rc. so far has gone far 30 convince him
that a great many professional performers
IN this country have been in ignorance that
eucb a law as he seeks 20 enforce existed.
such fnstitutIons as Oh. symphony or
cbaetra in Boston. and the Philharmonic
Soc,sty IN New Ycrk, will now have 20
tako Ms behests into serious considera-