Elvis Presley wanted to record
Dolly Parton’s song
“I will always love you”
but he wanted half of the publishing rights
to do so.
Dolly Parton said no.
“I said,
‘Well, now it’s already been a hit.
I wrote it
and I’ve already published it,
and this is the stuff
I’m leaving for my family
when I’m dead and gone.
That money goes in
for stuff for my brothers and sisters
and nieces and nephews,
so I can’t give up half the publishing,’
and he said
‘Well then, we can’t record it.’”
“You have to take care of your business.
Everybody’s going to use you
if they can.
These are my songs.
They’re like my children.
And I expect them to support me
when I’m old.”
Protect your intellectual rights.