Overheard a radio discussion the other day locally (sorry, can't recall who was discussing) that had an idea that made sense to me.

Under the discussed plan, music copywright would be identical to current coverage for life +30 (or so... don't remember how long exactly, but in that neighborhood). After that point, copywright would be based on a monetary standpoint - if the song in question was used in a profit making manner, grossing over a certain amount, within approx. another 40 years (bringing total term to life + 70), then copywright would be invoked, requiring a percentage etc. etc....

This seems to make a certain degree of sense. In this manner, it would appear that after a realistic time frame, the song becomes pseudo-PD. The ceiling on profit during the 40 year add on (or would it be floor in this case?) was designed to allow for a certain level of performance, and possibly even re-recording, thus keeping songs accessible. If the re-recording then became a hit, the heirs of the songwriter would then be entitled to their share.

Sadly, as was mentioned in discussion, the HFA types probably wouldn't be willing to even discuss something like this... it eats away at their level of control, and part of the discussion centered around ways to keep as much money as possible directed to the owners of the rights, rather than the middlemen companies that currently absorb almost all the money.

Food for thought, at least.

M