The publisher of a book could prosecute a maker of unauthorized copies even if they operated in a different country.

[2] The 1961 Rome Convention for the first time granted international recognition for copyright in sound recordings.

Now music labels were recognized as having a copyright interest in the recording itself, separately from the composer and performer.

This gave them standing to prosecute makers of unauthorized copies of their tapes or records in other countries.

It was also very much cheaper and simpler to make unauthorized copies compared to vinyl records.