As Walled Culture the book (free digital versions) details, for decades the copyright industry has lobbied consistently (and successfully) for more and harsher laws targeting alleged infringement. Against that background, it is hardly uprising that these laws are used on a massive scale every day. But some companies take this to extremes. Here, for example, …
“John Larkin” by John Larkin only has two copies in existence, one by his widow and the other by an unknown person. If that name seems unfamiliar, it’s because he later became more famous as Scatman John.
It was recorded in 1986 but due to current US copyright law, it won’t enter public domain until December 3, 2069.
There’s a few copies floating around on YouTube and a FLAC version as a torrent. Pirates are keeping his legacy as a jazz performer alive.