Generally, it seems the composer is the last person to own rights, if I understand it correctly. The studios hire a composer to write a score for a film, so the studio owns the recorded work.

However, the sheet music might be another story which is why re-recordings can be done so often.

Someone can correct me of course, but I would think the studio owns the music and sells the release rights for a limited time to a label. Even if the label goes under (like Fox Classics), they still paid for the rights for, say, 10 years. After that time is up, another label can purchase the rights and release another album (either a straight re-issue or an expanded edition).

ssosmcin, June 21, 2004; 8:16 PM