copyrights

[unjulation]

i was thinking about copyright and was wondering what stance outhers take on the whole thing.

i genraly folow the rule of thumb that dictates if the work that you've created contains outher peoples work then you as an artist haven't the right to copyright it so anyone else can use it and do what they whant to the fotage that you have created.

[vjklik]

Two things I do know:
First there is something known as "fair use" which would include using visuals of copyrighted images in some form...
The second is that enforcement is usually very slack for visuals although that could change.

With "fair use" you can use bits and pieces, loops and even mix stuff in with footage that is copyrighted. That doesn't mean you can play, "Blade Runner" wholesale but you can take a scene from it out of context and luma-key something behind it and not be in violation.

Enforcement: You're on your own with this one, but generally clubs have to pay the major music publishers, ASCAP and BMI a licensing fee. Depending on the club it's paid monthly or annually and sometimes clubs that don't pay get fined pretty bad. I know of no body that enforces visuals. Especially if you're talking about international bodies. Technically, if you're paid cash for your gigs you have to declare that money to the IRS. You can probably get away with not declaring but you do so at your own peril. Again, the money probably isn't enough to make a huge issue over it. Same thing with showing visuals.

This is strictly in regard to projections at clubs. If you indend to distribute your work which contains copyrighted material, you would be wise to check with your publisher or call around to make sure that you can use certain footage. I had a friend who released an album and included a list of all the samples he used. The record company called around for permission to use the samples. Apparently Apple Records, in charge of the Beatles catalog, refuses outright to allow any music samples, including a simple Ringo drum sound. In the end lawyers got involved and things got so ugly they wouldn't release his album despite having given him a 70,000 dollar cash advance. Go figure.
Don't know if I've been helpful, but that's what I know.
-klik-

[infopocalypse]

I think the best thing to do is get a DV cam.... making your own stuff you end up being a lot safer.... if you end up with fair use problems I know of a good SF area lawyer that specializes in such matters.

[unjulation]

it's not realy the actuall law that interest me about this subject more the "moral" stance that people take

I personely see the use of self shot material as just as limeted due to the fact that most people don't have the the resorses to create the standerd of film that you can get if you "rip it of" from sorcses that have had a budget of millions to create there material

[MoRpH]

Pfffft I really don't think it maters wher you take your samples from.... 3 points though.

1. Don't play huge slabs of copyrighted stuff
2. Don't play chunks of other Vj's mixes
3. With good skills on teh mix you should retain a familiar element to the sampled material but warp it to create something all your own :)

[Anyone]

it all depends what you value:

- if you're into short term recognition, just playback anything you've ripped off the TV or the local vid shop, it'll look great and wont take much effort (well you DO need to spend hours grabbing and cutting up stuff)

- if you want to do it for a long time, and eventually go on tour with, i donno, chemical brothers, they certainly wont take you if all you got to show for is your collection of audiovisualizer loops ... get your camera out now and start filming whatever you thing will look cool on a screen, or invest in a good 3D program !

but there's always gray areas, and most of us are in varying proportions in between the first and second option...

[AudioVisualizers]

I think this is a topic that everyone should consider more, especially as people remix and release "their" work. I too am interested in both the moral, ethical and legal implications. Anyway, here's a page in progress with related info/discussions:
http://www.audiovisualizers.com/library/sampling.htm
-d.

[infopocalypse]

Although the deal is international, part and parcel of the international copyright laws... Taiwenese VJs are excempt because Taiwan doesnt recognize international copyright laws (kind of like being a hacker in Finland)... and if VJing in Taiwan you are under similar consideration.

The seizure specifics can be found in paragraph 509 of the Copyright Laws:

http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap5.html

You can try to make some cases using fair use on various items, but fair use has done worse and worse in the legal system over the past decade.

Fair use:
http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107

Of course you can always wait until something is no longer copyrighted, but this is quite a while, see below:

http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap3.html