# Majors Push Supreme Court to Block Copyright Ruling

> Music publishers urge Supreme Court to prevent global copyright disruption from songwriter termination case.
- Title: Majors Push Supreme Court to Block Copyright Ruling | Shortify
- Summary: Music publishers urge Supreme Court to prevent global copyright disruption from songwriter termination case. Music publishers argue a Supreme Court decision…
- Keywords: copyright, songwriter, termination rights, us supreme court, fifth circuit, bmg, capitol cmg, essential music publishing, warner-tamerlane publishing, cyril vetter, double shot, windsong music publishers
- Source: Music Business Worldwide — https://musicbusinessworldwide.com/majors-and-bmg-tell-us-supreme-court-not-to-let-appeals-court-decision-radically-disrupt-copyright-worldwide-in-songwriter-termination-rights-case
- Published: 2026-10-07T11:08:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: copyright, songwriter, termination rights, us supreme court, fifth circuit, bmg, capitol cmg, essential music publishing, warner-tamerlane publishing, cyril vetter, double shot, windsong music publishers
## Majors and BMG urge Supreme Court
The music industry majors and BMG have told the US Supreme Court they should not let a Fifth Circuit decision disrupt copyright worldwide.
## Fifth Circuit Ruling on Termination
A January 12 ruling held that termination under US law returns songwriters' rights globally, not just in the United States.
## Publishers' Reply Brief
Publishers filed a reply brief arguing Vetter’s case could cause significant disruption to global music licensing deals.
## Vetter's Opposition Argument
Vetter argued publishers could negotiate deals without international rights concerns and that the issue should be resolved through other appeals courts first.
## Industry Negotiations Timeline
Publishers say the industry is actively negotiating deals running through 2072 with foreign rights representing a significant portion of license value.
## Short-Term Licensing Impact
Licensing deals become more expensive and some may collapse if potential licensees fear foreign infringement litigation.
## Medium-Term Consequences
Vetter’s position risks a pyrrhic victory as the industry faces prolonged legal uncertainty.
## Long-Term Societal Impact
Creative works may not be produced due to prolonged legal uncertainty and disrupted licensing.
## Case Background
The dispute concerns Double Shot (Of My Baby’s Love), a song Vetter wrote with Donald Smith in 1962 and assigned to Windsong Music Publishers.
## Key takeaway

Music publishers argue a Supreme Court decision could disrupt global copyright deals by allowing songwriters to retain international rights after termination.