A French court recently made a significant ruling regarding Maurice Ravel’s iconic classical music piece, “Boléro.” The court declared that Ravel was the sole author of the composition, dismissing claims of collaboration with Alexandre Benois, a Russian stage designer. This decision has major financial implications as it determines whether the piece remains in the public domain or reverts to copyright.
Originally debuting in 1928, “Boléro” was a sensation, earning Ravel’s heirs substantial profits until its copyright expiry in 2016. The issue arose when Benois’ heirs argued for co-authorship, potentially extending the copyright until 2039. Both sides presented compelling arguments, with Sacem supporting Ravel’s sole authorship based on historical evidence.
Yvan Diringer, representing Sacem, praised the court’s well-argued decision, highlighting the millions in annual earnings generated from the rights. Despite the financial stakes, both estates are analyzing the ruling before making further statements.
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