Sounds of Silence

But I do believe that as American courts, lawmakers, activists, media corporations, tavern owners, digital entrepreneurs, and artists wend their way through this season of doubt about the future of intellectual property, it's important to bear in mind our founding fathers' intent of keeping the music alive.

Albeit Jefferson and Washington might not have envisioned the creation of "Voodoo Queen," Regi Harvey's 1986 blues song, licensed through BMI.

James Sanders

Regi Harvey, music director of musicless Skip's Tavern.

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More About

• Regi Harvey
• American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
• Bill Courtright
• Law
• Intellectual Property

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"I belong to BMI. And I think it's great if they can get someone paid some money for their work," Harvey says. "But I don't want them going after someone for covering my song in a bar."

Did he ever get any royalties from the song?

"Yeah, they sent me a check in 1986. I can't remember who played it. It was for $3.50."