Copyright laws

[InfraRed]

Hi

I am going to make a demo reel of my VJ work but would like to know if I can get burned legally for using someone elses music?

Previously, I used a track from a Seb Fontaine mix cd by a another artist so, would I need to get their permission before using it?

Just don't want to be on the wrong side of the copyright laws, understandable I think !!

Regards

Niall

Ps is it recommended to stick with just one track in a demo reel or demonstrate that you can do visuals for a broader spectrum of music?

[Primebase3]

keep it short and simple (1 track will do 3 min/4 minutes is ok)
for legal issues, if you use if for example issues your good, if you put it online pay your dues@ your local music copyright ..place :)(sorry don't know what to call it , in holland it's the buma stemra)

[Rovastar]

Officially you will need to have a license with the copyright holder to distribute it.

Ways around this would be make a show reel that you (and only) use and it is played in front of the promoter.

Although this sis reproducing the work it will be classed as a backup copy for yourself. Therefore this would be OK as current legal practices will rarely prosecute on this - even if you are caught. :)

This is also safer as you promoter will not steal your tape and use it himself.

Oh and welcome to UKVJForums.com sorry I mean VJForums.com :)

[InfraRed]

It becomes a problem if I am receiving money for the disc, if not - then its not really a problem.

N

[Rovastar]

I disagree I think that it would still be a problem if you gave away free discs.

You have the right to make a backup but not to distrubte. I agree that if you sell it is worse but I was presuming you where not planing to sel your demo reel to the promoters in the first place. :)

If you gave away 100,000 copies of the latest chart single with your visuals you would be in court quicker than Saddam moves his weapons around.

Copyright / Legal views are the same for the small scale it is just that you have less chance of been caught. Remember that no doubt all your contact details will be on the show reel so not hard to trace back.

Of the Seb mix CD the makers of the CD have to ask permission from the copyright holder for each track and often that includes paying them

Sorry if I sound like a bearer of bad news but this the situation legally, I beleive. Wether you get caught / the record company cares about it I do not know but to presume that it is would be misleading information.

I have tried to show you a sensible alternative which would encapulate the legal framework.

? I thought this thread was in the legal section?:confused: dunno

[Amukidi]

Its a tricky one this - I always get written permission from the artist, most times they are happy to help, sometimes they are tied by their record companies/publishers. My advice would be to lean towards non-superstar status artists! There are many really talented acts out there that will be only too willing to let you use their stuff, this way you can rest in the knowledge that you are truly legit, with the added bonus that you will actually know the muso, which in turn should make the collaboration work better.

[InfraRed]

Point taken, it would be a good thing to search out some new local acts and ask permission to use some of their tracks.

It would also be more exciting for all involved rather than using the main stream option. There is plenty of talent in Glasgow, shouldn't be a problem.

take care

N

Ps this should have been in the legal section - oops

[LEVLHED]

another source for music (that you would still ask for permission to use) is www.mp3.com or perhaps www.iuma.com