Copyright and Fox's Glee

[Iphinome]

http://balkin.blogspot.com/2010/06/c...e-of-glee.html

The absence of any mention of copyright law in Glee illustrates a painful tension in American culture. While copyright holders assert that copyright violators are “stealing” their “property,” people everywhere are remixing and recreating artistic works for the very same reasons the Glee kids do — to learn about themselves, to become better musicians, to build relationships with friends, and to pay homage to the artists who came before them. Glee’s protagonists — and the writers who created them — see so little wrong with this behavior that the word ‘copyright’ is never even uttered.

You might be tempted to assume that this tension isn’t a big deal because copyright holders won’t go after creative kids or amateurs. But they do: In the 1990s, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) asked members of the American Camping Association, including Girl Scout troops,to pay royalties for singing copyrighted songs at camp. In 2004, the Beatles’ copyright holders tried to prevent the release of The Grey Album – a mash-up of Jay-Z’s Black Album and the Beatles’ White Album — and only gave up after massive civil disobedience resulted in the album’s widespread distribution. Copyright holders even routinely demand that YouTube remove videos of kids dancing to popular music. While few copyright cases go to trial, copyright holders like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) don’t hesitate to seek stratospheric damage awards when they do, as in the Jammie Thomas-Rasset filesharing case.

[BongoBong]

In the 1990s, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) asked members of the American Camping Association, including Girl Scout troops,to pay royalties for singing copyrighted songs at camp.

hahahahaha whaaaaaaaaaaaat? Those girl scouts stealing hard working artists money!

[MV64]

Well, there was a news story I read on one of the major news outlets that a lot of people think the recording industry is going to go belly-up, with major companies folding in the next few months.

They deserve it.

[Iphinome]

They do deserve it. When you go after someone on youtube dancing to a popular song or girl scouts singing around a campfire you've passed anything resembling sanity. it is time to learn a simple phrase "Who cares?" Some 12 year olds are singing out song on youtube? Who cares?

[TallMomof2]

One of the positive aspects of Glee is that it has turned my daughter onto some excellent classic rock and pop. She's gone out and purchased the original artist's version to at least a dozen songs. At $0.89 to $0.99 per song that isn't much but it's more than would have been sold without Glee.

[DJHARKAVY]

If I read this, from ASCAP, the rehearsals and the lessons would be exempt, but the actual competitions might not be.

2. What is a public performance?

A public performance is one that occurs either in a public place or any place where people gather (other than a small circle of a family or its social acquaintances.) A public performance is also one that is transmitted to the public; for example, radio or television broadcasts, music-on-hold, cable television, and by the internet. Generally, those who publicly perform music obtain permission from the owner of the music or his representative. However, there are a few limited exceptions, (called "exemptions") to this rule. Permission is not required for music played or sung as part of a worship service unless that service is transmitted beyond where it takes place (for example, a radio or television broadcast). Performances as part of face to face teaching activity at a non-profit educational institutions are also exempt.

[mr ploppy]

http://www.journalonline.co.uk/News/1004283.aspx

[DawnFalcon]

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

One of the positive aspects of Glee is that it has turned my daughter onto some excellent classic rock and pop. She's gone out and purchased the original artist's version to at least a dozen songs. At $0.89 to $0.99 per song that isn't much but it's more than would have been sold without Glee.

Except she's funding the music companies. If she'd bought CD's of the music second hand now...

[TallMomof2]

But at least the musicians will receive a bit of the money and I want to support the artists.

[DawnFalcon]

Better off buying second hand and making them a donation then. The vast majority of the money from other purchases is simply propping up the old business model, and frankly I can make a good case for that being immoral.

[mr ploppy]

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

But at least the musicians will receive a bit of the money and I want to support the artists.

The best way to do that is to go and see them live and buy a t-shirt while you are there.

[dorino]

Originally Posted by DJHARKAVY

If I read this, from ASCAP, the rehearsals and the lessons would be exempt, but the actual competitions might not be.

2. What is a public performance?

A public performance is one that occurs either in a public place or any place where people gather (other than a small circle of a family or its social acquaintances.) A public performance is also one that is transmitted to the public; for example, radio or television broadcasts, music-on-hold, cable television, and by the internet. Generally, those who publicly perform music obtain permission from the owner of the music or his representative. However, there are a few limited exceptions, (called "exemptions") to this rule. Permission is not required for music played or sung as part of a worship service unless that service is transmitted beyond where it takes place (for example, a radio or television broadcast). Performances as part of face to face teaching activity at a non-profit educational institutions are also exempt.

ASCAP didn't consider girl scouts/etc as falling under "non-profit education institution," nor did they consider the singing "face to face teaching"

RIAA, MPAA, ASCAP, and all the rest do nothing more than encourage piracy.