(c) 1995 Copyright Nando.net
(c) 1995 Bloomberg
WASHINGTON (Nov 3, 1995 - 00:06 EST) -- Musicians and record companies
have a new safeguard against unauthorized digital alterations and
transmissions of their works.
A new law, signed by President Clinton yesterday, will give musicians
and music copyright holders the right to authorize most digital
transmissions of their works and to be compensated by anyone
transmitting the material to customers for a fee.
Digital transmissions of music over computer networks such as the
Internet and other interactive venues are subject to the law. So are
digital transmissions in which a fee is charged for the reception.
Traditional radio and television broadcasts are exempt because there
is no charge for reception.
Copyright owners will also have exclusive right to control the
performance of their works in any digital transmission.
The Recording Industry Association of America said, "Passage of this
historic bill has been a goal of the RIAA's for over 20 years," in a
statement by the trade group's chairman, Jay Berman.
The bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent on Aug. 8 and passed
the House on Oct. 17, the RIAA said.
The Clinton administration said the law will "expand consumer choice
by providing greater incentives for recording artists to produce and
disseminate more works."