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[The prepared statement of Mr. Henley follows:]
Prepared Statement of Don Henley
Dear Chairman Moorhead, Members of the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, and distinguished members of Congress;
My name is Don Henley. I am a songwriter, music publisher and recording artist. I appreciate the opportunity to express my support for H.R. 989, the Copyright Term Extension Act of 1995.
You have heard many compelling arguments for the exter^ion of the term of copyright protection for American intellectual property to match that of the European Union Directive of life plus 70 years. The members of the United States creative community have testified that this is a trade matter, an economic issue of vital importance to the American participation in the global marketplace. You've been told that our current laws create what is essentially a twenty-year free ride to the European Union — they can use and abuse o\ir works for free, while we have to pay for the use of theirs. You've also heard about the questionable real value to the people of public domain material. It is all this, but it is very much more.
On a daily basis, I wear many hats. I care passionately about the preservation of our dwindling wilderness areas, and I have devoted a great portion of my life and my life's work to make sure that a respect for the land and the protection of our environment is a part of the legacy we leave our children. We have found that in order to foster this respject and protection, it has been necessary to enact laws. Many of you are acquainted with me in this role.
I am, however, first and foremost, an artisan, except my tools are words and melodies instead of brushes and canvas. I cut, shape, refine, and position each \/ord and each note until I have crafted a song that I believe is true. My songs are an expression of who I am and what I stand for, and the laws which govern the results of my endeavors demand that people respect my work. The copyright law provides me with the right to protect my work from those who would otherwise compromise its integrity, who would exploit, abuse and mutilate my art. I do not allow my songs to be used in conjunction with advertising commercials, and I am extremely selective about other ancillary uses of my music in films and other projects. The law g;ives me this right, but or\ly for a limited time.
No one would question my right to prevent someone from painting graffiti on my house or from stealing its contents. No one would question my right to benefit from its value or to ensure that my heirs benefit from its value. And if I were to