Something else to think about is putting performances up on youtube or
myspace. All I know about this is what I hear on the radio, but if I'm
not mistaken, technically, you are infringing copyright if you put a
video up on the internet of a performance of protected melodies--like
"happy birthday" or "Lindesfarne"--unless you own the copyright, even
though you're making no money off it. I think you will be breaking
some sort of copyright law even if you post your own compositions in
one format or another (score, audio or video) if they are not
copyrighted. There is some law designed to protect recording companies
that doesn't allow individuals to put their own stuff up on the web
without formal copyright. Yes, Martha, apparently you can be sued for
giving your own stuff away.
BTW, Michael Jackson owns the Beatles' catalog as well, so don't get
caught whistling "All you need is love" on your way to the bus stop.
John
julia....@nspipes.co.uk
01/16/2009 02:36 AM
Please respond to
julia....@nspipes.co.uk
To
nsp@cs.dartmouth.edu
cc
Subject
[NSP] Re: Copyright issues
On 16 Jan 2009, julia....@nspipes.co.uk wrote:
<Far too much>
But here's a PS:
"Publishing" includes typesetting more than one copy and handing it
round to friends: writing out a copyright tune by hand, copying it by
any means and distributing that:course music of any sort: workshops:
and so on, and so on. Yes, really - I'm not kidding.
In practice we get away with it, but anyone who does any of these
things without specific permission should be aware of what they are
doing. One day a litigious composer / copyright holder could come
back and get shirty.
And don't copy out Happy Birthday for distribution: people in the
States have been prosecuted by the copyright holder (Michael Jackson)
for doing just that.
Anyone who *really* needs to know the potential danger areas in
Northumbrian music of which I am presently aware is welcome to
contact me - offlist.
Cheers
Julia
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