Music Copyright Infringment

1. Music Business Essentials
MUSIC COPYRIGHT
INFRINGEMENT
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com

2. Copyright Infringement
Anyone who violates any of the
A h i l t f th
exclusive rights of the copyright
owner or th author: R
the th Reproduce, d
Distribute, Make Derivative Works,
Perform in Public
Public…
or who i
h imports copies of ill
i f illegal
l
sound recordings into the
United States…
U it d St t
is infringing on the original owner’s
copyright
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com

3. Examples of Infringement
Sampling substantial, recognizable portions of
substantial
someone else’s work without permission
Playing
Pla ing someone else’s m sic li e without permission
music live itho t permission-
Band, DJ, (blanket license with a PRO). Note: Most
venues should have this license
Making Mixtapes of others’ works without permission
Downloading and sharing MP3 files on the Internet
without permission (i.e. without paying)
Fraudulent use of the copyright symbol
Fraudulent application information when applying for
Copyright registration
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com

4. Sound Recording Infringement
Bootleg: Unauthorized recording of
a live performance or broadcast
Piracy: U
Pi Unauthorized d li ti of
th i d duplication f
an actual, existing sound recording
Counterfeit: Unauthorized
duplication of a sound recording
AND artwork, packaging and label
p g g
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com

5. Remedies for Infringement
Injunctions
Impounding and destruction
of infringing articles
Statutory damages=$750-$30,000 per
work; Willful infringement= up to
$150,000 per work
Actual damages and any additional
profits of the infringer-must be proven
Willful Piracy and Counterfeiting
are felonies- can carry a fine of up
to $250,000 and jail terms
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com

6. Infringement Cases
An Author must register copyright with
the US Copyright office to file a legal
court case
Statute of limitations is 3 years
Some cases “settle” rather than going to
settle
trial
To file a claim, you must prove you own
claim
the work and the other part is infringing
due to :
Access
Substantiality (vs. de minimus)
Similarity
“Heart” of the work
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com

7. Key Take-Aways
Copyright infringement= any
unauthorized use, performance or
,p
duplication of original creative works
Copying or sampling someone else’s
music may be infringement (unless it is
deemed “Fair Use” or “de minimus”)
Infringement can be punishable by law
with substantial fines and jail time
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com

8. For Educational Use Only
This slide presentation is part of the
Music Business Essentials series
series.
Contact
info@musicbizclasses.com
info@musicbizclasses com
for more information
© 2006 musicbizclasses.com