Supreme Court·Orders
Four justices step aside, leaving the Court without a quorum in a music copyright case; lower ruling stands
The Supreme Court could not act on BMG Rights Management v. Vetter because it lacked a quorum after four justices recused, so the judgment of the 5th Circuit was affirmed under federal law as if the Court had not taken the case, according to Monday's order list and the Washington Examiner. The 5th Circuit had ruled that when copyright reverts to authors or their heirs under U.S. law, the reversion covers the worldwide copyright, not just U.S. rights, in a dispute between major music labels and artists.
Sources
- Supreme Court of the United StatesOrder List, Monday, October 19, 2026
- Washington ExaminerSupreme Court unable to consider copyright case after four justices recuse