David Hooper
Just as citizens of a nation must beeducated about their rights to ensure that they are protected andupheld, so too must those who compose words and music know the rightsthat support their own acts of creation. Without these rights, whichdirectly emanate from the U.S. Constitution, many who dream of focusingtheir talents and energies on music creation would be economicallyunable to do so – an outcome that would diminish artistic expressiontoday and for future generations.
At this time, when so manyforces are seeking to diminish copyright protections and devalueartistic expression, this Bill of Rights for Songwriters and Composerslooks to clarify the entitlements that every music creator enjoys.
1. We have the right to be compensated for the use of our creative works, and share in the revenues that they generate.
2. We have the right to license our works and control the ways in which they are used.
3. We have the right to withhold permission for uses of our works on artistic, economic or philosophical grounds.
4. We have the right to protect our creative works to the fullestextent of the law from all forms of piracy, theft and unauthorized use,which deprive us of our right to earn a living based on our creativity.
5. We have the right to choose when and where our creative works may be used for free.
6. We have the right to develop, document and distribute our worksthrough new media channels – while retaining the right to a share inall associated profits.
7. We have the right to choosethe organizations we want to represent us and to join our voicestogether to protect our rights and negotiate for the value of our music.
8. We have the right to earn compensation from all types of”performances,” including direct, live renditions as well as indirectrecordings, broadcasts, digital streams and more.
9. Wehave the right to decline participation in business models that requireus to relinquish all or part of our creative rights – or which do notrespect our right to be compensated for our work.
10. Wehave the right to advocate for strong laws protecting our creativeworks, and demand that our government vigorously uphold and protect our rights.
