Non profit copyright

[sipowicz]

Hello
If I'm using some music in my movies, and that music is copyrighted under someone else's name, then can I still use it, provided I'm not making a profit?
Thank you!

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[Pryce]

I am 99% sure that you can NOT. It would be impossible to prove it was non-profit. I think the rule is "Showing IN the public - then cof up the copyright", "Show to the public in, say, a club - then turn a blind eye".
If you are showing to mates/family/club members you should be ok BUT BEWARE the copyright guys have sharp teeth (and possibly rightly so)

Pryce

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PS. This interpretaion of the law is for the UK only - dont know about the rest of the world.

[This message has been edited by Pryce (edited September 02, 2001).]

[sipowicz]

Well what about that Star Wars thing Troops? www.theforce.net/troops
They used stuff from Star Wars..

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[Curtin-Parloe]

The thing with troops and starwars fan stuff in general is that they can use sfx/music/etc as long as it is labelled a Star Wars Fan Film and not for profit - it's kind of a "George says its ok as long as I don't miss out on cash and it makes episode 1 look good!"

cheers

paul

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BAD EYE - Coming Soon www.curtin-parloe.co.uk/badeye Curtin Parloe 2001

[sipowicz]

So why can't I just label my thing as a Rick Astley fan thing and use his music? Providing it's non profit.

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[andy_winton]

If you do not own the copyright you cannot
distribute new work derived from the
copyrighted material. For any reason, good,
bad, non-profitmaking.

(You avoid this for 'home' movies 'cos you
just show it to your family and there is
no real 'distribution' going on.)

But if you take someonelse's work make a new
work and put it on the internet you are
breaking the law and the owner can sue you.



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andy winton
(www.wintonfilms.co.uk)

[Curtin-Parloe]

George Lucas has decided that Fan Films are a good idea, mainly for promoting the proper films (i.e. the first 3 ) and therefore given them permission, provided it doesn't take the mick. If Rick Astley gives his fans blanket permission, then go for it!

I can't wait for "Never Gonna Give You Up - The Movie"!

paul

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BAD EYE - Coming Soon www.curtin-parloe.co.uk/badeye Curtin Parloe 2001