Copyright

Copyright issues are - above all else - why some videos cannot be cablecast on the Public Access channel. It's a sad moment when your Public Access channel has to refuse a video when a producer has worked so hard on producing his/her video but has copied a favorite music score on the audio track for the title and credits and even within the video. 

Take for granted that all music is copyrighted. It's a myth that you can use someone's music for a good cause, for non-commercial use, or that no one will notice. You either have to obtain written authorization for television use from the author and performer, or go to web sites that offer limited rights to music - usually at a low-cost - for instance at www.magnatune.com.  There are other web sites that offer music and you should take the time to check these out. You can also compose your own music with easy-to-use music software. You can be sure that your Public Access Channel will ask to see the written authorization from the author and performer or a copy of the contract with the music-provider web site. Copyright issues extend to all performing arts and music, even school plays and favorite oldies such as Happy Birthday.

You can find information about copyright on several web sites, by googling 'copyright', such as

• The Music Publishers' Association:  www.mpa.org/copyright_resource_center/
• The National Association for Music Education Copyright Center: http://www.menc.org/resources/view/copyright-center
• www.magnatune.com/info/license
• www.copyright.gov/
• www.howstuffworks.com/music-royalties.htm
• www.snopes.com/music/songs/birthday.asp
• Copyrighting Your Music: http://www.zzounds.com/edu--musiccopyright