[HANASHIR:13752] Re: Purim Parody Compilation Online

[Marsha Fensin <mfsings...>]

>  Hi All,
>     My accompanist has raised a question or two regarding copyright 
> issues of Purim Schpiels such as the Norman Roth ones, speciafically 
> those that have all the music printed with the new lyrics.  He wants 
> to know on what authority folks like Norman Roth have printed up the 
> music and put in Purim lyrics.  We are planning to do Norman's Beatles 
> Megilla this year and he wants me to buy th eoriginal music for him. 
> This is what he wrote to me in an E mail today? ( I did write to 
> Norman, but I'd like some opinions from those of you on this list.)
>
>> Commentary - These Purim parodies  raise some issues. First, I would 
>> appreciate legitimate printed music rather than photocopies. You know 
>> that and that is the legal and ethical procedure to follow. Second, 
>> these "Purimized" lyrics are certainly fun, but under what authority 
>> do synagogues have to use them? Doesn't Michael Jackson own the 
>> copyrights to a great deal of Beatle music? Akin to my concern is the 
>> fact that copyright holders of "Eidelweiss" from the "Sound of Music" 
>> do not authorize under any circumstances for any fee the use of the 
>> music with any other words.
>
> If you could give me an answer for him, I would appreciate it.  Thanks,
> Marsha Fensin


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