Is anyone able to help me make sense of the question below.

"Play, gypsies, dance, gypsies, play while you may.

We're gypsies one and all I say,

And through our youth's May time, love's playtime

Hearts ever gay.

We only live for just one day

The will o'wisp of pleasure glides

All the future hides

Love the only law obeying

Youth, a gypsy, goes a straying"

---Emmerich Kalman (1908)

Poets have assumed that, absent any financial incentive, the free nature of free songs is to burst into song.

1. Is that possible? Would there be music if people would just give it away? Does copyright protection mean that we are assured a supply of music? In your discussion, consider the following:

A. ASCAP called a strike against radio stations right after World War II. The airwaves were filled with Stephen Foster.

B. Many new bands are in fact giving away their music, as a way of getting the band concerts and, eventually a good label.

www.bmi.com

www.sesac.com

http://globalmusicrights.com