SANTA BARBARA Class Action Lawsuit

1 I get asked the question from time to time about why SOAPnet or some other outlet has not picked up 80s and early 90s soap SANTA BARBARA. The show aired around the world and became quite popular, but supposedly the musical rights were what was keeping it off the air in recent years. That may or may not change, but with the class action lawsuit against the show's producers being settled this year, the chances of seeing the show again seem to have improved. In 2004, a lawsuit was filed against Fox (who bought out New World Television a long time ago) on behalf of owners of musical compositions or recordings alleging that their music was used without permission on SANTA BARBARA back when the show aired, and that subsequently, Fox has distributed SB to many other countries: "Plaintiffs Nathan East (individually and dba New East Music), Stanley M. Clarke (individually and dba Clarkee Music), and The Music Force LLC (individually and dba Full Force Music) commenced this action on July 6, 2004 alleging they are owners of certain musical compositions or sound recordings that were embodied without authorization in the television series SANTA BARBARA and thereafter reproduced and distributed in episodes internationally. The Class Complaint named as defendants Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Century Fox Film International Television, Inc., New World Television Productions, Inc. and New World Entertainment, Ltd. Plaintiffs asserted claims for copyright infringement for themselves individually and on behalf of classes of owners of musical compositions and sound recordings, or portions thereof, that were embodied in SANTA BARBARA." In the settlement reached back in February, the "Class Action be fully and finally settled in the manner and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Stipulation." If the songwriters and publishers are now going to be paid, this may cut down the licensing fees to air SANTA BARBARA in the future. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of SB's debut on NBC. It would be nice to see SOAPnet pick up the show and air it from the beginning.