Richard Finch Interview: KC YouTube

In a recent interview, Richard Finch, the founder member of KC & The Sunshine Band and co-writer of some of their biggest hits, spoke about his ongoing legal battle with Sony Music Publishing. Finch is attempting to terminate a 1983 deal that assigns his share in the songs he co-wrote for the band to Harry Wayne Casey, the lead singer of KC & The Sunshine Band.

Finch's termination right stems from US copyright law, which allows music-makers who assign their copyrights to a business partner to reclaim their rights after a set period of time. In this case, Finch is seeking to terminate his assignment and regain control over songs such as 'That's The Way I Like It'. However, the process is not without controversy.

On one hand, terminating old publishing contracts has become a common practice in the music industry, with many songwriters reaping the benefits of regaining their rights. On the other hand, some artists dispute this viewpoint and there are ongoing test cases against major labels currently working their way through the courts.

The dispute also extends to record contracts, with many labels arguing that they are the default owners of any recordings made by artists they sign. This means that no assignment of copyright actually takes place, making it difficult for music-makers like Finch to terminate their agreements and reclaim their rights.

Finch's case against EMI Longitude Music, part of Sony Music Publishing, is a significant one in the ongoing debate about termination rights in the US. The outcome will likely have far-reaching implications for the music industry and could impact the way that artists and labels approach publishing deals in the future.

In an exclusive interview with , Finch spoke candidly about his motivations for taking on Sony Music Publishing and what he hopes to achieve from the lawsuit. When asked why he decided to take action now, Finch explained: 'I've been watching other songwriters terminate their contracts and regain control over their work for some time now. It's something that I've always wanted to do, but it wasn't until recently that I felt comfortable doing so.'

Finch also expressed his frustration with the current state of the music industry, stating: 'The way the industry is structured, it's very difficult for artists to get a fair deal. There are so many middlemen taking a cut of the profits, and it leaves little room for the creators to make a decent living. That's why I'm fighting to reclaim my rights and ensure that other artists have the same opportunity.'

The case highlights the ongoing tension between music-makers and record labels, with Finch seeking to assert his rights as an artist and regain control over his work. As the dispute continues to unfold, it will be fascinating to see how this plays out and what implications it may have for the future of the music industry.

Richard finch interview kc you tube