 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. What is a Copyright?

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. A copyright is an exclusive right to a musical, literary, dramatic, or A copyright is an exclusive right to a musical, literary, dramatic, or artistic piece of work. artistic piece of work.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. United States copyright law originated in 1787 to promote science and useful arts by providing inventors and authors limited, exclusive rights to their works.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. As technology changed, so did the copyright laws. Today, laws extend to paintings, photographs, videos, audio recordings, and various forms of multimedia.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. In the late 1700s, copyright laws provided a maximum of 28 years of protection.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Following numerous revisions, a copyright today is valid for the life of the author plus 70 years.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. In addition, copyright protection on works created exclusively for corporations (for example, The Walt Disney Company) have been extended to 95 years.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. How do copyright laws affect videographers?

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Videographers have the legal right to exclude anyone from copying all or part of their work.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Likewise, they must secure permission if using someone else’s work, unless that work is in the public domain.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. What kinds of copyrighted material might a videographer material might a videographer incorporate into a production? incorporate into a production?

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. - Top 40 music hits to use as part of a soundtrack. - Excerpts of dialogue from a play. - Corporate logos. - Footage from another production. - Stills or photographs from a book or magazine.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. -A lawsuit requiring payment on profits made from the production. -A fine ranging from $250 to $50,000, depending on knowledge of the law and intent to violate it. -Destruction of all copies of the production. -Up to five years in jail. Using material without legal Using material without legal permission may result in: permission may result in:

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Who is responsible for policing and monitoring copyright material?

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. The copyright owner is responsible for protecting his or her work.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Additionally, ASCAP and BMI are music guilds that help police the use of their members’ material and provide legal access to copyrighted music. ASCAPBMIASCAPBMI

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Do copyright laws also pertain to low-budget productions, such as a high school graduation, dance recital, or wedding video?

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Absolutely! Copyright laws apply if the production is planned for sale or broadcast.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. How would a videographer secure permission to use copyrighted material, such as a song, for use in a video?

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Solicit the copyright owner (artist, producer, or label company) with a written request to use the material. The manner or extent to which the material is to be used often determines compensation.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Content of the video. Content of the video. How the song will be used. How the song will be used. Whether the song will be edited. Whether the song will be edited. The target audience of the video. The target audience of the video. Plans for broadcast, distribution, and sale of the final production. Plans for broadcast, distribution, and sale of the final production. When seeking permission to use a song, provide information such as: song, provide information such as:

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Sample Letter Requesting Permission Dear [Mr./Ms. Copyright Holder]: I am a Junior at Heritage High School, (City and State) and am producing this year’s graduation video. I would like to include your song “A New Beginning” in its entirety on the video as the seniors are leaving the school stadium. The video will be sold to approximately 200 parents of graduating seniors. I would like permission to use your song on a royalty-free basis. If you agree, please sign the enclosed letter and return it to me in the self-addressed stamped envelope included. I appreciate your consideration. Sincerely, AGREED: ____________________ John Smith, student Melody Bass, songwriter Date: ___________

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. The satisfaction of producing an effective and entertaining video includes respecting the creative effort of others.

 Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.Permission granted to reproduce for educational use only. Online Resources United States Copyright Office Video University  Copyright for Video Producers