Opinion ID: 1239364
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Re-release as causing loss of state protection

Text: Defendants also argue that, after Public Law 92-140 became effective on February 15, 1972, plaintiffs have re-released some of their pre-February 15, 1972, recordings, thus subjecting them to federal protection. Defendants argue that, by so submitting them, plaintiffs have lost their right to claim state law protection for the pre-1972 recordings, because the federal law must govern. This argument, however, should not now be considered, because the case is before the court on demurrer. Defendants are raising a defense that calls for them to prove that those recordings were submitted for copyright protection under Public Law 92-140. We note, however, that the re-release of a recording after February 15, 1972, probably does not secure copyright protection for that recording, because to give it protection would circumvent sec. 3 of Public Law 92-140, which provides that this law should not be applied retroactively or be construed as affecting in any way any rights with respect to sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972. 85 U. S. Stats. at Large 392. We, however, do not decide this question.