Today in Copyright History: 1/22

On January 22, 1917, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Herbert v. Shanley that a New York City restaurant had to pay royalties for music it plays to entertain diners.  The decision gave the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) the legal backing it needed to pursue licensing of music users.

By Detroit Publishing Co. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

Reposted from the History of Copyright Timeline at the U.S. Copyright Office.

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