Task One – Understanding Copyright

Within this post, I will explain the ways in which a person can be disciplined for copyright, and what they can/cannot do around this subject. First of all, copyright is a document that allows you to have the exclusive right to publish/sell literary or artistic work. No official registration for copyright is needed within the UK (and also other parts of the world).  You do not need to fill in forms and do not have to pay fees to get this copyright protection.

American copyright laws are more severe than the laws over here in the UK. You can be taken to court by the other party involved and consequently sued. An example of when this has happened would be the court case between Michael Bolton and the Isley Brothers. Bolton released a song titled ''Love Is A Wonderful Thing'' in 1991, although the Isley Brothers release their song in 1966. Bolton copied parts from their original song which resulted in the largest award in history for plagiarism in the music industry. The court ruled in the Isley Brothers' favour and were awarded 5.4 million dollars.

         The fair use exemption allows you to quote and reference materials without seeking the copyright holder’s permission. This can be for purposes such as criticism, reporting, teaching, or research. With this said, you still have to be careful around copyright and make sure that you abide by certain rules. If you are unsure about the law around a particular area, you should make sure that you check first.

          To make sure that I overcome the rules and regulations around my music video, I will make sure that I contact the artist/label seeking permission for use of the song. I will either email or telephone the artist/label and tell them what I am using it for and if they allow me to use it then I will. It is better if I find and artist that is not well known as they are more likely to allow me to use their music for free. They are also more likely to respond to an email I send.  

          Finally, I know that without a written release you cannot produce photos, videos, or other media of an individual as you risk being taken to court for violations of personal rights (defamation). This would occur when information is published that can create a false impression of a person and injure their reputation.