US copyright legislation continues to hamper legitimate exchange of intellectual property, which remains instead in the firm grip of the biggest corporations (under what some call the Mickey Mouse Protection Act). The result is that America lags far behind Europe in terms of freedom of access to and use of old films, old radio and TV broadcasts, old recordings, out-of-print books and articles, etc. Even items being safeguarded by the Library of Congress are not all readily available to our citizens, though tax money funds their storage and preservation: just try seeing older films now “owned” by Sony, for example. Thanks to the Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) and other non-profit advocacy groups, efforts are underway to persuade congress to address these problems with revised legislation. Some of us are not holding our breath. But for an update, click here. If enough people complain, there will eventually be some action on the Hill….
About The Author
![Maggie Pate](https://cvnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/maggie-pate_avatar-170x170.png)
Maggie Pate
Maggie Pate is a native North Carolinian with an extensive background in the performing arts. Maggie holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from East Carolina University, attended Berklee College of Music, and obtained a M.S. Ed. from Sunbridge College, New York. Having been on both the North Carolina and Washington State Visiting Artist rosters, Maggie has performed throughout the United States in both classical and jazz genres and as well in musical theatre and dance. Some of her most noted local performances include the soprano soloist of Stravinsky's Les Noces and spearheading a concert for Sights and Sounds at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Maggie is a member of the North Carolina Master Chorale. Maggie has worked for professional organizations within the arts including the Thelonious Monk Institute, WHR-Wilmington, Performance Support Services of Seattle, Long Leaf Opera Company. Maggie has held the position of music and dance editor for CVNC since 2015. She is now honored to be moving into the role of Editor in Chief for the organization as of 2021. Maggie is also currently the business development manager for choral music in North America for Oxford University Press.