This week's reading is about copyright issues. Books, plays, films, movies, and music are examples of things that can be copyrighted. HOWEVER, if you plan on having your work undergo the copyright process you need to document your work to prove that it is yours. According to expertvillage in his video about What is a copyright, since some things just can't be copyrighted, you will need to share.
One thing you need to understand is that a "copyright" says you need permission to use the material if you would like to use it. So once you get permission or instructions on how to use a particular asset, DON'T FORGET TO SITE IT.... Otherwise you are in violation of the copyright, even if you have permission.
Good Copy/Bad Copy, is a racy one-hour documentary surrounding the controversy of copyright and new media. Although quite lengthy, this documentary begins with how sampling music can be subjected to copyright issues. Bridgeport v. Demention films was an important court case that brought about the change of music copyright and how it can be used. With music there is so much change with sampling that you need to have a very good ear to decipher the sample music. This court case, lead to the structure of sampling music to a simple path of if you sample something, then you must license it. In other words, with regards to sampling NOTHING is DIMINUTIVE in it's use. So aspiring DJ's and musicians beware.
Many people out there believe that the copyright laws should be updated, to reflect the similar copyright laws applied to the written text. Writers know that people will re-mix their work and they are okay with that. And so should music copyrights allow others to re-mix their work so long as it is not infringing upon their creative works. What is the real issue of sampling or re-mixing someone else's work. Is it the fact that someone else may be profiting off their music, or simply that the re-mix is much more creative and interesting than the original music that was produced?
Fair Use ! This copyright stuff just gets more confusing. You can only borrow a small amount .... so you can sample but not too much. Teachers beware !!! We often violate the Fair Use of copyright by copying just a little too much. This includes using videos for lessons. A Fair(y) Use Tale is a great short video that admin can use in professional development to remind educators of the Fair Use portion of copyrighting. Remember, Fair Use is not a right, it is a legal defensible position.
Free speech in documentary has allowed filmmakers to use Fair Use more freely without feeling as if they will be sued for using the information or clips in their movies. This also applies for the emerging Re-mix culture because of how remixing is exercised. We need to remember that we still need to use the copyrighted material within reason.
Good summary and observations regarding copyright issues.
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