HI SB1287

Grants authors and legal owners of sound recordings fixed before February 15, 1972, an exclusive ownership interest in those recordings until February 15, 2067, with narrow exceptions for independently created sound recordings.

Establishes civil remedies for copyright infringement including injunctive relief, actual damages or statutory damages of $750-$30,000, and exemplary damages up to three times the award for willful or malicious infringement.

Allows recovery of attorneys' fees and full costs by the prevailing party in civil actions brought under this chapter.

Implements statutory licensing for public performance of covered sound recordings with royalty payments allocated through collecting societies or rights management organizations, with specific percentages for nonfeatured musicians and vocalists.

Permits non-commercial educational use, archival use, fair use, and transfers or performances under negotiated or statutory licenses as exceptions to the exclusive rights.