Bungie and Microsoft are no strangers to the 2022 news cycle, but neither have been in the news for unpaid royalties -- until today.

An exclusive Eurogamer interview with Halo composers Marty O'Donnell and Mike Salvatori has revealed a lawsuit now almost two years old in which they argue that Microsoft owes them royalties for the multi-trillion dollar company's use of Halo music.

But as Microsoft claims the music is theirs as a "work made for hire", details get messy and "innocent" television studios are threatened.

Music royalty is fighting for royalties, today...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/YT9F1Tr-z1M

#Halo #Microsoft #Lawsuit

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SEASONED GAMING BITCAST - SUNDAYS AT 11:00 EASTERN

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgHBXONMT06nX_8RZ5r32UA

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:48 The Marty O'Donnell Interview

06:18 Injunction Junction

11:18 Myth and Money

26:02 Halo Sold

34:49 Conclusion

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Discussed in this episode:

"Original Halo composers sue Microsoft over unpaid royalties dating back 20 years"

Eurogamer - February 11, 2022

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-02-10-original-halo-music-composers-threaten-to-try-to-block-tv-show-amid-lawsuit-with-microsoft-over-unpaid-royalties

KUCERA v. DEP'T OF TRANSP.

140 Wn.2d 200 (2000)

http://courts.mrsc.org/supreme/140wn2d/140wn2d0200.htm

MYTH TOTAL SOUNDTRACK

https://vgmdb.net/album/13836

https://www.discogs.com/release/11927431-Martin-ODonnell-And-Michael-Salvatori-Myth-Total-Soundtrack/image/SW1hZ2U6MzQwMDE2Mzc=

https://www.discogs.com/release/11927431-Martin-ODonnell-And-Michael-Salvatori-Myth-Total-Soundtrack/image/SW1hZ2U6MzY4Nzc2NzA=

Works Made for Hire

Copyright Office Circular 30

https://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ30.pdf

MUSIC BITS

https://www.bmi.com/licensing/entry/types_of_copyrights

https://www.ascap.com/about-us/governance

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Society_of_Composers,_Authors_and_Publishers

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"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

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Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com