Music Industry, Artists Settle Ownership Issue

After months of bitter arguments, an agreement was signed Tuesday between the artist community and the music industry over the legal definition of sound recordings.

The two sides have been duking it out since November, when the Recording Industry Assn. of America asked Congress to amend U.S. copyright law to classify sound recordings as “works-for-hire.”

The amendment, quietly inserted into a huge budget bill late in the 1999 session, essentially revoked the right of artists to reclaim ownership of their master recordings.

The artist community blew up when it got wind of the move.

The two sides negotiated for months to resolve the dispute. They will now make a joint recommendation to Congress when it reconvenes in September, essentially tossing out the amendment. Congress could approve it later this year.