USE OF COPYRIGHTED MUSIC ABROAD BY U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP59-00882R000100320015-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 8, 2002
• Sequence Number: 15
• Publication Date: April 12, 1956
• Content Type: MF

Approved F 9-00882R000100320015-7
OGC REVIEW COMPLETED
12 April 1956
25X1A9A
SUBJECT:
DUM TOR:
LS 6.0802
Assistant to the Director
Use of Copyrighted Music Abroad by U. S.
Government Agencies
1. to summary the problem discussed here is as follows.
USIA and Defense both broadcast copyrighted material. Both
claim the right to do this without further licensing or payments.
Various foreign bodies similar to ASCAP have asserted claims
for infringement. Defense rejects the claims, claiming they have
a license and a suit on one claim has been brought in Iceland,
S asserts claims are not valid, but in practice trie's to have
them withdrawn or settles them for a cash payment. USIA wants
to continue this practice. Defense wants to make the Iceland case
east case, believing the claimants will be defeated. State dis-
agrees, thinking the claims are valid and that the refusal to honor
them is very disruptive to our relations in the countries concerned.
The Department of Justice has not been brought into the problem.
There are, thus, three choices:
a. The State recommendation to honor the claims
and budget for the continuing costs;
b. the Defense recommendation to reject the claims
and stand or fall on the Iceland case;
the USIA desire to continue settling separate claims
through individual negotiations in each case.
Approved For Release 2003/03/25 : CIA-RDP59-00882R000100320015-7
 Approved For Release 2003/03/25 : CIA-RDP59-00882R000100320015-7
The Ce*tr*i lntelliS.nce AS.acy is not involved the problem except
possibly in its impact on Q. S. relations with foreign countries.
C R. HOUSTON
Counsel
cbment - 0C$ memo, S
game subject
OGC ? LRH:3 e
cc. QGC rono-no circ
subject-inventions 1
Approved For Release 2003/03/25 : CIA-RDP59-00882R000100320015-7