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<b>Decision of Note: </b>Artist's 'Assent' Doesn't Convey Renewal Rights

By ALM Staff | Law Journal Newsletters |
July 27, 2006

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York decided that a co-publishing agreement between two companies that the 'mysterious and extravagantly garbed street performer' Louis 'Moondog' Hardin signed in assent didn't convey the renewal rights in Hardin's songs. Guardian Music Corp. v. James W. Guercio Enterprises Inc., 03 Civ. 9687.

Granting Guercio's motion for summary judgment, the district court noted: '[T]he Co-Publishing Agreement does not include Hardin as a party. ' Moreover, the same paragraph that requires Hardin's assent does so 'after the Agreement has been duly executed by both of the [publishing] parties hereto.' No substantive clause other than the one requiring Hardin's assent mentions Hardin ' and even that provision does not state that he has any rights or obligations under the Co-Publishing Agreement.'

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