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Twentieth Century Music Corp. v. Aiken 422 U.S. 151 (1975)

TWENTIETH CENTURY MUSIC CORP. VS. AIKEN

U.S. Case No. 74-452 | 1975-06-17

U.S. Supreme Court

No. 74-452

Argued April 21, 1975
Decided June 17, 1975

422 U.S. 151

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE THIRD CIRCUIT

Syllabus

Petitioners' copyrighted songs were received on the radio in respondent's food shop from a local broadcasting station, which was licensed by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers to perform the songs, but respondent had no such license. Petitioners then sued respondent for copyright infringement. The District Court granted awards, but the Court of Appeals reversed.

Held: Respondent did not infringe upon petitioners' exclusive right, under the Copyright Act, "[t]o...