Scott Parks of the “Dana (Wright) and Parks” weekday afternoon talk show (2-6 p.m.) on KMBZ (980 AM/98.1 FM) announced to his audience today that he has been told by management under no circumstances is he to air Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Why? Because the King estate and a British publishing conglomerate own the copyright and charges anyone who wants to print or broadcast the speech.
Parks, who says he has aired the speech every Martin Luther King Day for the past seven years, was stunned that the family was able to copyright it and makes money off a speech MLK gave before millions of people.
“The speech is an absolute national treasure that ushered in an era of equality for black people and it is mesmerizing and amazing,” said Parks. ”I cannot and will not play it on this station because we cannot afford it.
“Really though, shouldn’t the American people be able to hear this speech on MLK day?” he asked.
The reason why media outlets have to pay to play the speech?
“That’s because the King estate, and, as of 2009, the British music publishing conglomerate EMI Publishing, owns the copyright of the speech and its recorded performance,” noted the blog site Motherboard. “While the copyright restriction isn’t news, EMI’s unusual role in policing the use of King’s words – the first instance of the company taking on a non-music based intellectual property catalog – hasn’t been widely reported. In November 2011, EMI Group was auctioned off, and the publishing business was sold to a consortium run by Sony Corp for $2.2 billion.”
The former head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference says MLK would not be happy with this action
“I think Martin Luther King must be spinning in his grave,” Bill Rutherford, who was executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference when King was murdered, told 60 Minutes.
“He gave his life for his ideas of justice, peace and love. He attempted his entire life to communicate ideas for free. To communicate, not to sell,” he says.
NOT NON-PROFIT
Dr. King believed in non-violence, but apparently his family doesn’t believe in non-profit.
HOW MUCH DO THEY CHARGE
I’m curious to know how much they charge a station to carry the speech?
I thought the figure $1,700 was tossed out. Either way, they just learned of the charge today so it was too late even if they wanted to pay the fee.
JUST READ SPEECH
Then just read it, cheapskate.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
I don’t understand how we can have a national holiday praising a guy that wants to judge people by their character and have a government that wants to give preferences based on skin color, sexual preference, or gender.
KING FAMILY OWNS WORDS, TOO
They own the words too, the entire work is owned by the King family. This is nothing new, the “happy birthday” song is owned by a similar company and they charge through the nose for any use on any media. Quality content is becoming gold.
HE HAS A DREAM
I have a dream … that instead of wanting to hear the King speech (not to be confused with The King’s Speech) “one more time” when all Americans of at least a certain age should be well familiar with the gist of it by now, people will actually want to get out there and do something to make this country a better place for everyone regardless of someone’s skin color, etc., etc. Like I said, I have a dream.
WHY NOT MLK?
If Paris Hilton can copywrite, “That’s Hot.” Tim Tebow, “Tebowing it” and of course the latest Kapernick kissing himself, Why not MLK?
I mean really. Great-grand baby needs a nice pair of shoes!
MLK RACIST
Who wants to hear a speech from a racist and man who cheated with white women.
Memphis police were called to Lorrane motel two nights before April 4, 1968. “king” was caught in bed with two young white girls from Memphis State University… Need I say more.
Anything to do with this man is a complete DISGRACE !
NEEDS MLK INFORMATION
I’m a black composer who, in March 2008, had a composition of mine titled “King’s Wonderful Dream” premiered by the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Permission was granted by the King Estate to use certain words from the famous “I Have a Dream” speech, but for “1 performance only”. This music creation was developed using some words from King’s speech, and my music which included “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”, and other motives. Other Symphony Orchestras have expressed interest in performing this Work but a Co-publishing Contract is needed. Remember,the Premiere was for “1 performance only”, and I need to find out what publisher controls the “I Have a Dream” speech. At one time EMI Publishers presented me a Contract but it was never finalized. Sony/ATV bought EMI but they are not set up for such a Co-publishing Deal. So the search goes on for that Publisher who can offer me a Co-publishing Deal. Any HELP or suggestions is greatly needed. My contact email is: [email protected]
Phone: (318) 221-5393
Darrel Andrews
Retired Band Director/Composer