I watched the September 9th "American Pickers" with great joy,
tinged by sadness: as the beautifully restored machines shown were
seen, but not heard.

Apparently, both the Legal Department of History Channel, and
collectors whose treasures may be featured on "American Pickers",
need to be reminded that recent changes in copyright law put all
compositions from 1923 and before into Public Domain status (so no
royalties on their performance need he rendered!)  Next year will
be 1924, the year after that 1925, etc., etc., etc..)

So please remember to load your machines with royalty-free rolls
before Mike and Frank show up, and I will do my part by sending
a polite letter to them, and anyone else that I can find contact
info for, to notify of this change.

Gordon Stelter

P.S.:  I suspect that another aspect of these copyright law changes was
that every single broadcast of a copyrighted tune -- including in repeat
broadcasts of the same taped segment -- must be paid for, is what caused
Turner Classic Movies to (tragically, in my opinion) cease using vintage
music in its between-film "spots" (replacing it with often hideous and
very creepy sounding stuff, for which it owns all the rights.)

Gordon Stelter