__ Copyright __ Where can I learn more? __

[Blain]

A friend of mine and I were discussing copyrighted materials last night.

What came up in our conversation was...
* What constitutes "fair use"?
* How does someone perform an artist's music, and keep within the confines of copyright laws?
* Is there a point (in performing an artist's music), at which royalties must paid?
* Is there a time period, beyond which, royalties are not required?
* When, if at all, does copyrighted material become "public domain"?

Does anyone know of good, informative web sites that I can learn more about this?

Thanks for your input

 

[BigT0e]

Here is the retards at the dvd/cca who dislike DeCSS. They probably have info, but it is probably mindless drivel based on their lawsuits against 2600.
Here

 

[FelixDeCat]

I have so many mixed feelings on this issue. I believe an artist should get paid for his work for as long as a copyright exists, be it a book, song, article, photograph, cartoon characters, trademarks, servicemarks, advertising slogans, etc.

However, I remember a few years ago major companies were trying to change the copyright laws (this may have already been done with the Digital Milenium Copyright Act of 1998) to extend "protection" on certain properties beyond the 50 year time limit. I think it was disney trying to protect Mickey Mouses copyright from expiring. IMO this is absolutely wrong as they should be subject to the same laws as every other artist before them has. One of their arguments was to protect their characters from being used to endorse things they did not approve of (and get paid for) such as non Disney related enterprises. Sorry Disney, it was just about money and you know it.

Another example that makes me ill was hearing about the person who was collecting the royalties of the Jim Morrison (the Doors) music library. Apparently through some snafus some long lost friend of a relative 10 times removed is collecting big $$$. That shouldnt happen. If an artist passes away, their work should be royalty free after 17 years.

From what Ive found:

Music

1998 Copyright law update

Other interesting sites


© 2001 FelixDekat. All rights reserved. Violators of this copyright will be severly frowned upon. :frown:

 

[Blain]

Thanks for all the links. That's a lot to chew on
It looks like "fair use" is pretty limited.

 

[GigaCluster]

There's actually a whole domain dedicated to various aspects of copyrights: www.whatiscopyright.org

Hope this helps.