The Film Daily (1930)

THE Tuesday, June 3, 1930 ■a&?k DAILY Seek Revision of the Copyright Law PROPOSED IN NEW BILL (Continued from Page 1) 12549) awaits action on the House calendar, without any provision so far on the program for consideration at this session of Congress. The Committee report says that "this general revision of the copyright law" provides for: (1) Automatic copyright by which the copyright is conferred upon the author upon creation of his work, a right so limited by various provisions of the bill as to be made a privilege ; (2) Divisible copyright, which permits the assignee, grantee or licensee to protect and enforce any right which he acquires from an author without the complications incident to the old law ; (3) International copyright, whidi enables American authors, merely by complying with the provisions of this act, to secure copyright throughout all the important countries of the world without further formalities. The Committee report was filed with the House by direction of the Committee, by its chairman, Representative Vestal (Rep.), of Anderson, Ind. The report says the pending bill is supported by authors, playwrights, screen writers, composers and artists and that its general principles are supported by book publishers, the Allied Printing Trades unions, the librarians and the majority of the theatrical managers who have appeared before the Committee. The present general copyright law adopted in 1909, has become antiquated, cumbersome and wholly inadequate, the Committee reports, by reason of a great number of new and approved trade practices which have sprung up and new mediums of expression, such as motion pictures, radio and television. The Committee points out that before 1909 there existed the revision of 1891. which yielded in 18 years to the law of 1909, and it is now almost a quarter of a century since the last revision. The new law, it says, is designed to give the author clear title so that he, in turn. can give clear title to all those with whom he deals. The Committee says the bill recognizes the good faith of the innocent infringer, gives immunity to the printer who merely prints and binds an infringing work while acting in good faith and has similar provisions as to good faith with respect to advertising matter, newspapers and periodical publications. Under the bill, theatrical managers get rights they can protect and enforce in their own, names without any of the formalities or embarrassments of the present law, the report says, and the printing trades are protected as to published works of American authors. The report cites privileges under the biH for libraries, schools, colleges, etc., to import books under certain restrictions referring to protection of clear titles to motion picture producers. It says the bill makes a fair compromise in respect to price fixing for mechanical musical production, providing that the 2-cent compulsory license shall continue until Jan. 1, 1932. as to the mechanical musical provisions of the act of 1909, and the repealer section of the new bill makes adequate provision by excepting the operation of the rrpealer to accommodate this purpose. This length of time, according to the Committee, will give manufacturers time to adjust themselves and still holds open to the compulsory license features of the present law the musical compositions from 1909 to 1932. Tt does not disturb existing conditions except as to new works after 1932. "This is a combination of 40 or more of the leading nations of the world" the report says, "and under its articles any author who«r work is copyrighted in one of the countiii of the union automatically obtains proi in all other countries. To adhere to the international union it is essential that :'M be secured without any formality, 't is n-crscn'-y therefore, prior to adhesion that our domestic law be amended to provide for automatic copyright in authors' works." GOLFERS, ATTENTION! Sign this and forward to The Film Daily, 1650 Broadway! Here is my entry and Ten Dollars for the Spring Film Golf Tournament, to be held on Tuesday, June 11th, at the Glen Oaks Golf and Country Club, Great Neck, L. I. The Committee Bruce Gallup William Brandt Al Lichtman Don Mersereau Arthur Stebbins Jack Alicoate N-E-W-S 0-F T-H-E D-A-Y United States Kansas City — Jack Whelihan has been advanced from postal clerk for Paramount here to the post in the advertising accessory department formerly held by Russell C. George, who is now advertising accessory manager for Universal in this city. Dallas — Roy Brauer, who left the local Universal sales staff to become manager of the Des Moines branch, is back here at his old job. Campbell, O. — L. B. Hodgkin has acquired the Nixon from H. M. Olsen. Kansas City — Western Electric equipment is being installed at the Shubert, local legitimate house. Cuero, Tex. — Rubin Frels has sold the Normana to Hall Industries. St. Louis — Jack Osserman, formerly branch manager for Universal in Kansas City, is managing the Columbia exchange in this city. Detroit — Abe Gerson is a new member of the Columbia sales force here. Tyler, Tex. — The Liberty will be reopened by William Shieldes soon. Cleveland— Clarence J. War, formerly with Fox, is now on the local Universal sales staff. He has been assigned to the Akron territory. Lubbock, Tex. — Griffith Amusement Co. is now doing the buying for the Lindsey theaters here. Steubenville, O. — An 800-seat house is being erected here by W. B, Url ing, with August 15 scheduled as the date of completion. Cleveland — Jean Wisney has left the Warner office staff and is now managing the new offices of Max Lefekowitz here. Montesano, Wash. — The Armour has been purchased by George Srigley, who recently operated the Cameo in White Center. Seattle — The Winter Garden is now closed while sound apparatus is being installed. New York Buffalo — The Linden, formerly operated by F. Henn, is now being operated by E. J. Kadilac. Binghamton — The Laurel is now owned and operated by Isabel Lavery. Plattsburgh — H. L. Donnelly has taken over the Auditorium. Foreign Madrid — Because fears are felt in certain parts of Spain that the exhibition in the country of talking pictures in foreign languages may lead to the corruption of the Castillian tongue, steps are being suggested to restrict the showing of talkers from abroad. Stockholm — Sweden is adapting itself to sound films more quickly than most countries in Europe. Some 100 houses have been or are being wired. Rio de Janiero — A theater in wliicl all-talking pictures in English wil ho shown exclusively has been leasei jointly by two American producin companies. 22 PRIZES ALREADY IN FOR FILM GOLF TOURNEY (Continued from Page 1) try Club, Great Neck, L. I., every branch of the industry will be represented at what looks like the greatest turnout ever. From the entries now in hand almost every film company will have someone to match his skill on the greens and fairways for a cup or trophy of some kind. There will be a prize for each foursome and a raft of other special awards. Firms and individuals who have already submitted trophies are as follows: Stebbins Leterman & Gates J. P. Muller Agency J. G. Brulatour M. P. News DuPont Pathe Film Mfg. Co. National Theater Supply Massce & Co. Carl Laemmle Screen Secrets Magazine Jack Cosman Co. Ira Haupt & Co. Eastman Kodak Associated Publications Electrical Research Columbia Pictures Craft Film Lab. Continental Theater Accessories Ufa Productions RKO Al Lichtman Plaque, to M. P. Club member with low score Albee Memorial Cup, Lambs Club challenging M. P. Club for possession Film Daily Cup, for low net. "All Quiet" Takes in $107,342 in Four Weeks With each week showing an increase over the previous one, Universal^ "All Quiet on the Western Front" has grossed $107,342 in its first four full weeks at the Central, New York, where it is playing at $2 top. Henry Siegel Will Direct Special "All Quiet" Runs (Continued from Page 1) the Western Front" outside of the Shubert theaters. Siegel will handle primarily engagements at summer resorts and in other situations that do not conflict with the Shubert runs. Northwest Exhib Meet Postponed Minneapolis — June 17 is the new date of the Rochester, Minn, meeting of the Northwest Theater Owners. It was originally scheduled for June 3. Merchants Open House Bricelyn. Minn. — The Unique has opened under the operation of local merchants, who bought the house from A. E. Wilcox. Iowa House Changes Hands