As a musician, songwriter, and artist, much of your income if based on your copyrights and trademarks. Yet, the subject is one that many people, even those making a living from these things, don't understand well.
That's not to say anybody really understands copyright... With technology moving as quickly as it is, there are some things that copyright law hasn't kept up with. With that said, you should still be aware of these 10 Big Myths About Copyright.
Feel free to post any copyright-related comments below. For example, your feelings on sampling, cover songs, band name trademark issues, or music licensing...
Someone from BMI came by at a little pizza joint, where a guitar duo plays once a week for a couple of hours, no cover charge. The owner of the place was threatened that he was violating copyright law by having the musicians play covers by musicians BMI was representing. The result was that this venue (small as it was) is no longer presenting live music. This put two musicians out of work. The players finally figured out that they could play tunes by composers who were not on BMI's list. Also, they're playing 80-year-old jazz tunes. They assume that copyright law expires after a certain time period.
I also hear that ASCAP pursues restaurants that play the bar tender's itunes on the house speaker system.
Posted by: Chris | April 28, 2009 at 02:39 PM
Well, technically, the owner was violating copyright law.
Whether he was charging cover or not, he was using somebody else's
music to bring in people and sell more pizza.
Not saying the way ASCAP or BMI go about things is the best option,
but the principle is correct in that people who write music should be
compensated for its use.
Posted by: David Hooper | April 28, 2009 at 03:30 PM