THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1287

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO COPYRIGHTS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  In its 2014 decision of Flo & Eddie, Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio, Inc. et al., Case No. CV 13-5693 PSG (RZx) (Sept. 22, 2014), the United States District Court for the Central District of California recognized that the Copyright Act of 1976 explicitly allows states to regulate rights and interests arising from sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972.  Furthermore, the court held that California Civil Code, section 980(a)(2), recognizes a comprehensive ownership interest in sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972, subject only to the narrow exception included in that statute.

     The purpose of this Act is to adopt language substantially similar to the holding under Flo & Eddie, Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio, Inc. et al. to protect an ownership interest in sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 482C, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§482C-    Sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972.  (a)  The author of an original work of authorship consisting of a sound recording initially fixed prior to February 15, 1972, has an exclusive ownership interest in the original work until February 15, 2067, against all persons except a person who independently makes or duplicates another sound recording that does not directly or indirectly recapture the actual sounds fixed in the original work, but consists entirely of an independent fixation of other sounds, even though the sounds imitate or simulate the sounds contained in the original work.

     (b)  This section shall not limit, annul, or diminish in any respect any rights, exclusive or otherwise, in sound recordings fixed prior to February 15, 1972, existing under Hawaii common law, or civil or criminal statutes.  The codification of certain of these rights that give rise to statutory causes of action for violation of such rights shall not be construed to limit other causes of action under either Hawaii common law, or civil or criminal statutes."

     SECTION 3.  Section 482C-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§482C-5[]]  Penalty.  Any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor[.] or pay a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.


 


 

Report Title:

Copyright; Sound Recordings

 

Description:

Protects sound recordings fixed prior to 02/15/1972 against unauthorized public performance.  Protects any right in sound recordings fixed prior 02/15/1972 existing under Hawaii common law, or civil or criminal statutes.  Establishes a fine not to exceed $1,000 for a violation of chapter 482C, HRS.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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