The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music and BMG, leaving in place a lower court ruling that expands artists’ copyright termination rights globally. Under the ruling, creators who reclaim rights to their work under U.S. law regain worldwide rights, rather than only U.S. rights—a departure from long-standing industry practice.
The case centered on songwriter Cyril Vetter’s effort to reclaim full rights to his 1960s song “Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love).” The music companies argued that the lower court ruling would upend the industry and jeopardize agreements valued at billions of dollars.
Four of the nine justices recused themselves from the case. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling therefore remains in place, but the Supreme Court’s action does not establish a binding nationwide precedent.