Copyright

Subject: Copyright
From: paddyc
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 01:25 AM

My band is recording a promo cd and do we have to pay to record copyrighted songs? We will not be selling it, only using it as a promo to radio stations.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: MMario
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 01:32 AM

with the understanding that I am not a lawyer and this is a subject of much debate, as I understand the law, legally, yes.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Mudjack
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 08:11 PM

OKay.... The next question, who and how does one go about paying?
Mudjack

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Alice
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 08:45 PM

Find the people who own the copyright to the songs and contact them or their representatives.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From:
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 08:51 PM

Besides that there are things like Mechanical Rights, etc. I believe there was an earlier discussion on Copyrights with exactly the same starting question.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Alice
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 08:57 PM

Mudjack, if you have a recording or a published version of the music, then you should be able to find the copyright notice printed on the CD, tape, record, or songbook. That can be your starting point for contacting the person(s) to tell them what you want to do and ask any questions you have regarding the use of the work.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Alice
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 09:10 PM

paddyc and Mudjack, as an example, I once had to search for a song to be used for a documentary video. There was one by Joni Mitchell called Roses Blue. It was in a songbook, copyright Siquomb Publishing, distributed by Warner Bros. All I had to do was call Warner Bros, and they gave me the number for her legal representatives. I called them and told someone at that office what the project was and asked about using the song and how much it would cost. They called me back after consulting with Joni Mitchell. She planned to redo the song under a new title, I think they said, but in the meantime, I met a band from Denver that had written a song that fit the video even better, so we used their song. So, it isn't really too hard to find a person to talk to. Now, with the internet, it is even easier to find phone numbers and email contacts. Good luck with your project.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From:
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 09:16 PM

Here's one thread that seems almost the same as this one

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.CFM?threadID=7233

Check the Forum Search for Copyright. There are numerous threads on the subject! Very interesting some of them. There is a bit of digression in several 8-)

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Alice
Date: 04 Jul 00 - 09:37 PM

On the subject of copyright, here is some recent information from a professional illustrator's forum. Since those of us who make a living by creating new work and selling its reproduction are constantly having to fight to protect the income from our work, this should be of concern to anyone in the US who has to file copyrights. Fees will be increasing even sooner than expected, and the staff to handle copyright registration will be cut back. If you are a writer, artist, or composer, this affects your work in the US. You can contact your congressional delegation and voice your concern about this lack of funding.

--
House Appropriation Committee Targets Copyright Office for Massive Budget Cuts

The Legislative Appropriation for fiscal year 2001 contained a massive budget cut for the Copyright Office. The House Appropriations Committee has recommended a 42% cut in the requested Copyright Office budget of $12,120,000. That amounts to the Copyright Office operating on a budget of $6,987,630. The Committee thinks the Copyright Office could raise fees to cover the shortfall. The only other alternative would be for it to eliminate 130 positions.

Weren't fees just raised? Yes, the Copyright Office went through something similar last year when Congress had it go through a process that raised the basic copyright fee by 50% and other fees by more than 200%. These fees were to remain in effect for three years.

What does all this mean to those in the visual communications industry? The Copyright Office being forced to raise fees again place another financial crunch on the creative community.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: paddyc
Date: 06 Jul 00 - 12:36 AM

Thanks.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: IanC
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 11:07 AM

Here's a useful site on UK copyright.

The UK Copyright Service

It has a very useful summary of the UK position and some more details, as well as information on how to register a copyright, and a summary of the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.

One interesting piece of informaion is that Performance, copies or lending for educational purposes can be carried out without infringing copyright. It should also be noted that Playing sound recording for a non profit making organisation, club or society is also exempt.

:-)

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 11:47 AM

The info on the site is not wholly accurate. In particular "registration" of a UK copyright is of no official legal meaning and unnecessary.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: PennyBlack
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 08:02 PM

In the UK you should register any recording, with the MCPS as payment is based on the selling price of the CD - No charge for CD = No payment to MCPS!

PB

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: CStrong
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 08:25 PM

The Harry Fox Agency is the MCGuffin here. Search 'em out.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 08:31 PM

"here"?? You mean, in America...

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Jan 05 - 08:35 PM

"Registration gives real evidence that may greatly help the copyright owner." Nuf said.
See UK government copyright details: Copyright
See especially "Benefits of Copyright Protection."

This has been gone over in a few dozen threads.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 01:01 PM

Read my lips. There is no form of registration that has any official legal standing in the UK.

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Jan 05 - 01:25 PM

Ho Hum

Subject: RE: Copyright
From: CStrong
Date: 22 Jan 05 - 11:08 AM

I meant "here" to mean "in this situation," not "in this country." I ain't parochial 't'all.