[Harp-L] copyright arrest

["Glenn Weiser" <celticguitar1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I looked this up, at first thinking it untrue, but it happened in Japan-

"November 9, 2006

"Elderly harmonica player arrested for performing copyrighted songs at bar
"A 73-year-old bar manager who illegally performed copyrighted tunes by the
Beatles and other artists on the harmonica was arrested Thursday on
suspicion of violating the Copyright Law, police said.

"Arrested was Masami Toyoda, of Tokyo's Nerima-ku. He has reportedly
admitted to the allegations against him.

"Investigators accuse Toyoda of illegally performing 33 songs such as the
Beatles' songs "Here, There and Everywhere" and "Yesterday," whose
copyrights are managed by the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors,
Composers and Publishers. He allegedly performed the songs on the harmonica
with a female pianist at the bar he operated between August and September
this year.

"Officials said the society sought a provisional injunction against Toyoda
in 2001 because he had repeatedly performed copyrighted songs in the past
without permission, and the Tokyo District Court granted the injunction.

"The society filed a criminal complaint against him in September this year
because he later kept playing copyrighted songs. (Mainichi)"

Ben-

So arresting this guy was obviously ridiculous, and here in the US he only
would have gotten sued, it being a civil matter (ASCAP-BMI collects fees
from venues for performances of copyrighted music, and like it or not, the
law is fair). Meanwhile, Michael Jackson, who owns many Beatles copyrights,
is at this moment probably molesting young boys in Bahrain. Go figure.

As for copyright laws, remember that our Stephen Foster died penniless
because publishers printed and sold his songs without paying him. The law
protects the poor as well as the rich.

Glenn Weiser

http://www.celticguitarmusic.com/harppage.htm