Comments for Music Row Law http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com A Music Law Blog of Barry Neil Shrum Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:26:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on Trademark Issues by William Monk http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/trademark-issues/#comment-469 William Monk Tue, 20 May 2008 18:16:17 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/trademark-issues/#comment-469 Is there a distinction in trademark law between a surname alone ("Smith") and a first name-surname combination ("Ebenezer Smith")? Can a person (Ebenezer Smith) trademark a name similar to his own ("Ebbie Smith") if he were to use that as his professional name? That is, Ebenezer Smith publishes a magazine and calls himself "Ebbie Smith" as promoter of the magazine? Can a person running for public office (Barack Obama) trademark their name as a protection from mischief makers trying to discredit the candidate's campaign? Is there a distinction in trademark law between a surname alone (”Smith” ;) and a first name-surname combination (”Ebenezer Smith”)?

Can a person (Ebenezer Smith) trademark a name similar to his own (”Ebbie Smith” ;) if he were to use that as his professional name? That is, Ebenezer Smith publishes a magazine and calls himself “Ebbie Smith” as promoter of the magazine?

Can a person running for public office (Barack Obama) trademark their name as a protection from mischief makers trying to discredit the candidate’s campaign?

]]> Comment on New concurrent resolution, H.Con.Res. 244 introduced to combat performance fees for record labels by Gary D. King Pres.& C.E.O. Heritage Radio Society Inc. WYAR-FM 88.3 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/new-concurrent-resolution-hconres-244-introduced-to-combat-performance-fees-for-record-labels/#comment-464 Gary D. King Pres.& C.E.O. Heritage Radio Society Inc. WYAR-FM 88.3 Fri, 16 May 2008 16:21:17 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/new-concurrent-resolution-hconres-244-introduced-to-combat-performance-fees-for-record-labels/#comment-464 Correction of Website Correction of Website

]]> Comment on New concurrent resolution, H.Con.Res. 244 introduced to combat performance fees for record labels by Gary D. King Pres.& C.E.O. Heritage Radio Society Inc. WYAR-FM 88.3 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/new-concurrent-resolution-hconres-244-introduced-to-combat-performance-fees-for-record-labels/#comment-463 Gary D. King Pres.& C.E.O. Heritage Radio Society Inc. WYAR-FM 88.3 Fri, 16 May 2008 15:28:54 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/new-concurrent-resolution-hconres-244-introduced-to-combat-performance-fees-for-record-labels/#comment-463 Thank you so much for your support on this issue. After nearly a century, I'm glad this issue is being re-addressed. It has always been obvious to me what an important asset free over the air broadcasting is to anyone writing music or producing a recording. The relationship between broadcasters and the owners of the music & recordings should at least be recognized as a symbiotic one. Again, thank you for your efforts. G. King Thank you so much for your support on this issue. After nearly a century, I’m glad this issue is being re-addressed. It has always been obvious to me what an important asset free over the air broadcasting is to anyone writing music or producing a recording. The relationship between broadcasters and the owners of the music & recordings should at least be recognized as a symbiotic one.

Again, thank you for your efforts.

G. King

]]> Comment on Resources by Mark Bellamy http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/resources/#comment-408 Mark Bellamy Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:42:41 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/resources/#comment-408 Dear Mr. Shrum, I just want to comment on this analysis of fair use and trans -formative works. I find this writing a wonderful way of explanation. I am a retired visual artist and a graduate of 2 dual core fine art/law degree'd programs[not by choice, I could not get into any of the other programs at that time] One of the things that was always pounded into my head was that of K.I.S.S. less is more. Or rather speak in plain language that can be understood by any reasonable standard. You have accomplished this so well. However, I wish that someone would speak or write about, what all of these decisions do...they foster or create an overshadowing or "chilling effect" upon faithful and honest people in the artistic community as a whole. With the sunrise of more unique and inventive litigation, It fosters a barrier to creative response, as we all learn from those that came before us, It is that way in law as well. I have seen so many spurious and down right ridiculous law suits emerge in local areas that should never even see the inside of a court room. It is sad and unfortunate that much of this has nothing to do with actual fair use, but rather, the amount of money that may be had at any given moment. Of course the cases you site are sharp to the eye of any legal mind, but there are those that go un-published that should be and no one ever hears of them and they are applicable to this genre'. However, I find this blog a great resource of study as you speak the language of the "common" man and woman. Dear Mr. Shrum,

I just want to comment on this analysis of fair use and trans -formative works. I find this writing a wonderful way of explanation. I am a retired visual artist and a graduate of 2 dual core fine art/law degree’d programs[not by choice, I could not get into any of the other programs at that time] One of the things that was always pounded into my head was that of K.I.S.S. less is more. Or rather speak in plain language that can be understood by any reasonable standard. You have accomplished this so well. However, I wish that someone would speak or write about, what all of these decisions do…they foster or create an overshadowing or “chilling effect” upon faithful and honest people in the artistic community as a whole. With the sunrise of more unique and inventive litigation, It fosters a barrier to creative response, as we all learn from those that came before us, It is that way in law as well. I have seen so many spurious and down right ridiculous law suits emerge in local areas that should never even see the inside of a court room. It is sad and unfortunate that much of this has nothing to do with actual fair use, but rather, the amount of money that may be had at any given moment. Of course the cases you site are sharp to the eye of any legal mind, but there are those that go un-published that should be and no one ever hears of them and they are applicable to this genre’.

However, I find this blog a great resource of study as you speak the language of the “common” man and woman.

]]> Comment on About Me by chugan http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/about-2/#comment-402 chugan Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:04:49 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/about-2/#comment-402 Barry, It was good seeing you at the TSU seminar--thanks for the Wordpress tip. I only hope that my blog is as cool as yours someday! Chris Hugan http://nashvegaslawyer.wordpress.com/ Barry,

It was good seeing you at the TSU seminar–thanks for the WordPress tip. I only hope that my blog is as cool as yours someday!

Chris Hugan
http://nashvegaslawyer.wordpress.com/

]]> Comment on Copyright Royalty Board begins critical hearings by Daneic http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/copyright-royalty-board-begins-critical-hearings/#comment-400 Daneic Thu, 20 Mar 2008 12:57:31 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/copyright-royalty-board-begins-critical-hearings/#comment-400 thats for sure, brother thats for sure, brother

]]> Comment on About Me by Greg Pitchford http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/about-2/#comment-394 Greg Pitchford Sat, 15 Mar 2008 18:03:22 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/about-2/#comment-394 I have received multiple offers from credible agencies concerning this song. I have a Tuesday 11 am meeting with an entertainment in San Francisco who will go through the offers. I'm at www.IfTomorrowWereADream.com 559 307 9027 Spc Pitchford I have received multiple offers from credible agencies concerning this song. I have a Tuesday 11 am meeting with an entertainment in San Francisco who will go through the offers. I’m at http://www.IfTomorrowWereADream.com
559 307 9027

Spc Pitchford

]]> Comment on Trademark Issues by Bradley Newcomer http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/trademark-issues/#comment-372 Bradley Newcomer Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:25:29 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/trademark-issues/#comment-372 Barry, I would very much like a copy of the opinion or any other information you may have. I plan on visiting Knoxville soon to do some research on M. M. Newcomer's store. Thank you, Bradley Newcomer Barry,

I would very much like a copy of the opinion or any other information you may have. I plan on visiting Knoxville soon to do some research on M. M. Newcomer’s store.

Thank you,

Bradley Newcomer

]]> Comment on Copyright Royalty Board begins critical hearings by D. Kareem http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/copyright-royalty-board-begins-critical-hearings/#comment-352 D. Kareem Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:43:13 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/copyright-royalty-board-begins-critical-hearings/#comment-352 Songwriters everywhere are keeping their fingers crossed. It's a hard road (for everyone involved in music), and we all deserve to be compensated fairly for our work. Songwriters everywhere are keeping their fingers crossed. It’s a hard road (for everyone involved in music), and we all deserve to be compensated fairly for our work.

]]> Comment on Don’t Mess around with Jim! by GARCIA http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/dont-mess-around-with-jim/#comment-342 GARCIA Sat, 19 Jan 2008 09:39:29 +0000 http://musicrowlaw.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/dont-mess-around-with-jim/#comment-342 <strong>GARCIA</strong> Interesting stuff. I had a weird experience with an music download site recently. GARCIA

Interesting stuff. I had a weird experience with an music download site recently.

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