Rights to Song “YMCA” Sought By Village People Singer Under Obscure Copyright Law

ABA Journal:  The Village People had one word of advice for a young man in need of some dough and somewhere to go: Y.M.C.A.

Now the man who wrote the song is a little older and seeking to cash in through a little-known copyright provision that allows musicians and songwriters to regain control of their work after 35 years, the New York Times reports.

Victor Willis, the Village People’s original lead singer, has filed papers to regain control of the rights to “Y.M.C.A.” and 32 other songs, the story says. The termination-rights provision applies to work registered with the U.S. Copyright Office after Jan. 1, 1978, too late for the group’s other big hit, “Macho Man.”