In its coverage of the music scene, SHOOT has over the years run several pieces relating to the role of musicologists, particularly during these litigious times when it comes to cases of musical copyright infringement in the ad arena. Indeed, musicologists have attained greater prominence in our biz, perhaps best underscored in a breakthrough panel discussion some two-plus years ago hosted by the Association of Music Producers (AMP). The New York session was designed in part to raise awareness of the copyright infringement issue–and the potential pitfalls of temp tracks–among ad agency artisans (SHOOT, 10/4/02 and 11/29/02, p. 1). Sadly, last month, the industry lost one of the world’s leading musicologists, Irwin Coster, who passed away on January 11 of complications following a heart attack he had suffered in September. He was known not only for providing music clearances for TV commercials, but also for being one of the most respected expert witnesses in matters of musical copyright infringement. Perhaps the most influential case that Coster worked on was the John Lee Hooker suit against ZZ Top, which went to the Supreme Court and resulted in a landmark decision concerning the extension of musical copyright to phonograph recordings. In a lighter vein, there was the 1969 bragging-rights controversy, which surfaced over UCLA’s use of the University of California at Berkeley fight song, “Big C.” In the UCLA/Cal lawsuit, it was Coster’s discovery that the song had never been copyrighted and thus was in the public domain, which allowed “Big C” to be recycled by UCLA as “Sons of Westwood.” A 1932 graduate of Hollywood High, Coster was a cellist and ran the music library at Republic Studios and later at Revue Productions, Hollywood. While at Republic, he worked with Aaron Copeland on “The Red Pony.” Drafted into the army, he served bravely during World War II, primarily in Italy. While there, he collected sheet music and folk songs whenever possible. He was also assigned as the leader of an army band and served as its conductor. After the war, Coster returned to his job at Republic and then later went to work for Revue, which ultimately became part of Universal Studios. There he became a force in the Hollywood film studio scene by running the music library department and handling most of the music clearances for Universal for 20 years. These were the days of Jaws and The Sting. Not only did Coster handle the film music work, but he also composed and did arrangements for hundreds of source cues for most of the TV shows that were done at Universal during that time. Coster’s deep enthusiasm for the craft of music as well as his desire to systematize the manner in which music was stored led him to create many filing systems and databases for Universal and others that are still in place today. He was also active in maintaining copies of musical stores and lead sheets that were quickly going out of print. Elizabeth Myers, AMP West Coast chapter president, and partner in Trivers/Myers Music, Manhattan Beach, Calif., recalled, “As the years go on, I become more and more impressed with long-time musicians who still maintain a deep love for their work. Irwin Coster would rank at the top of my list, for he not only passionately loved everything about music, but also encouraged good work whenever he heard it–Most of all, we will miss the musical insights and the laughs we shared together because of this kind, talented, gentle soul.” Coster is survived by his daughter Trinka and his son Wayne.
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More