copyright text usage

[lagowski]

If I use a small paragraph from a Carl Sagan book in one of my videos, scrolling up the screen, I should contact his publisher to get permission, shouldn't I?

[holly]

Whaterya, Crazy? You gettin paid by PBS?

Just put his name at the end so it is a direct quote, or mix his cheesy wondermug (the shot where he stares into the stars) behind the words. Call it homage and don't worry about it.

[syzygy]

If you can justify your use of the quote as "critism or review" then it will fall under 'fair dealing' under UK copyright law (and most other jurisdictions). You will need to attribute the quote to the author.

Also, if you have not taken a "substantial" part of the original then copyright will not apply. The problem with this, of course, is how you decide whether what you have used is substantial (contrary to popular misconception, there is no specific amount that defines this - courts are instructed to consider quality rather than quantity when assessing it)

If you want to be really sure, permission from the copyright owner (most likely but not neccessarily the publisher) is the way forward, especially if you plan to sell recordings of your work. You are likely to enter a world of pain to get the permission though - just finding the person who can authorise it could take months,

If this is for a live show, you are _highly_ unlikely to get into any trouble for quoting from a book, especially if you attribute the quote.

[lagowski]

The quote has his name after it, so I suppose it's not such a problem. I will be selling the dvd soon, that's why I'm asking.

thanks

[holly]

hrmmm. If your selling the dvd (like several hundred copies or just like home-burned dvd-r?) then you'd better write to the estate.

[syzygy]

How long is the quote that you intend to use - a single phrase or is it a paragraph or more?

If you expect the DVD to sell in any significant numbers, it would be best to get permission to use the quote. That's the only way you will be totally sure not to get a cease and dissist letter at some point in the future.

[lagowski]

It's long enough to be recognisable.
I've decided to edit it out and then I won't have to worry when it becomes the best seller on Amazon ;)