Copyright

[Peter Copestake]

Has anyone experience of dealing with copyright pirates? Pendle Movie Makers
have been told that video of the film NELSON '62 which we have sold mostly
on VHS but some DVD has been pirated by a local market trader. Trading Standards
have 'neither the authority or the resources' to act unless trademark is
involved. Would it cost a lot to trademark the club name? Would it make
any difference?

[Michael Slowe]

"Peter Copestake" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Has anyone experience of dealing with copyright pirates? Pendle Movie Makers
have been told that video of the film NELSON '62 which we have sold mostly
on VHS but some DVD has been pirated by a local market trader. Trading
Standards
have 'neither the authority or the resources' to act unless trademark is
involved. Would it cost a lot to trademark the club name? Would it make
any difference?

You should feel flattered that a market trader considers your film worth
pirating! I wouldn't think that trademarking your club's name would be
worthwhile (but I don't know the cost) and it probably would have no effect
on the trader, the big studios have all the protection that the law can provide
and it makes no difference - just wander around the next car boot sale that
you see!

[Cinema For Thurso Group]

the big studios have all the protection that the law can provide

Does your film contain music tracks licensed to it under the terms of the
IAC's copyright clearance scheme?
If so it might be worth contacting the copyright proprieter of any such
tracks within your film to let them know of the infringement of their property.
If you can't act to protect your own property- nail the ####ers with someone
elses! Contact FACT and tell them all about it.
I had to remind our local amateur dramatics group (the stuck up bunch who
look down their noses at film) that the use of Disneys' Beauty and the Beast
artwork on their panto poster was something the Disney company wouldn't be
pleased with and if they ever do the like again they will be getting reported
for copyright theft.

[Dave Watterson]

"Peter Copestake" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Would it cost a lot to trademark the club name?

Costs start at about £200 for trademarks but the process is complicated and
basically I agree with the comments from others that it would do you little
good. Accept it as an accolade as Michael suggests ... and maybe speak to
the trader pointing out the difference between cheating some distant Hollywood
firm and cheating a local amateur group.

Dave

PS Lots of stuff about the trademark process at http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/tm.htm

[Peter Copestake]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

"Peter Copestake" <forums@theiac.org.uk> wrote:

Would it cost a lot to trademark the club name?

Costs start at about £200 for trademarks but the process is complicated
and
basically I agree with the comments from others that it would do you little
good. Accept it as an accolade as Michael suggests ... and maybe speak
to
the trader pointing out the difference between cheating some distant Hollywood
firm and cheating a local amateur group.

Dave

PS Lots of stuff about the trademark process at http://www.patent.gov.uk/tm/dbase/

Thanks to all who replied. The accolade came, Dave, when hundreds rather

than a dozen or so as we expected bought the tapes at the full price so we
were able to give to charity in both the last two years, but I fear we've
boobed as well. Expecting only small demand we never thought about copyright
on the music. Remebering the guys who made the original they would have
used "copyright free" LPs; but I guess we should have got our licenses up-to-date
before selling. Yes? Peter C.

[Dave Watterson]

You have to be specially careful to clear all copyright in music and anything
else (still images / vintage clips / quotes used in the commentary etc) before
selling any video.

Many "copyright free" discs allow you to use their music as you wish but
some limit the use to work which is not sold. Check the licences that come
with the discs or read the small print on the cover very carefully.

The IAC acts as agents for several of the main bodies which hold rights in
music and the licensing scheme they offer lets you stay on the right side
of the law for a pretty small fee.

As always the best answer is to commission your own music from a helpful
musician and make sure you have a written agreement with them granting you
all rights to use the music.

Dave

[Peter Copestake]

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

You have to be specially careful to clear all copyright in music and anything
else (still images / vintage clips / quotes used in the commentary etc)
before
selling any video.

Many "copyright free" discs allow you to use their music as you wish but
some limit the use to work which is not sold. Check the licences that come
with the discs or read the small print on the cover very carefully.

The IAC acts as agents for several of the main bodies which hold rights
in
music and the licensing scheme they offer lets you stay on the right side
of the law for a pretty small fee.

As always the best answer is to commission your own music from a helpful
musician and make sure you have a written agreement with them granting you
all rights to use the music.

Dave
Yes, I know, Dave, but what I'm not clear about is that this film was

made by the club 40+ years ago and I haven't a clue what the music was.
Does the copyright law still apply to it? I will definitely get the club
to obtain IAC licenses at our AGM. Peter.

[Peter Copestake]

Sorry Dave, I've just read the copyright bit on the IAC site and the answer
is evidently that we are not covered even if we get the licenses. Shall
have to stop selling. Thanks for replies.Peter.

"Peter Copestake" <copestak@fish.co.uk> wrote:

"Dave Watterson" <david.filmsocs@virgin.net> wrote:

You have to be specially careful to clear all copyright in music and anything
else (still images / vintage clips / quotes used in the commentary etc)
before
selling any video.

Many "copyright free" discs allow you to use their music as you wish but
some limit the use to work which is not sold. Check the licences that come
with the discs or read the small print on the cover very carefully.

The IAC acts as agents for several of the main bodies which hold rights
in
music and the licensing scheme they offer lets you stay on the right side
of the law for a pretty small fee.

As always the best answer is to commission your own music from a helpful
musician and make sure you have a written agreement with them granting
you
all rights to use the music.

Dave
Yes, I know, Dave, but what I'm not clear about is that this film was
made by the club 40+ years ago and I haven't a clue what the music was.

Does the copyright law still apply to it? I will definitely get the club
to obtain IAC licenses at our AGM. Peter.

[Billy Ellwood]

I've just heard that if we have an IAC copyright cert, that we can use British
made music non-commercailly.

I take it that if I feel like adding Led Zep tp rock up my latest doco then
I'm sorted! - so long as I give away (ie pay myself for any tapes/disks I
make) distribute them with only costs to me, and don't even ask 10p for my
trouble and time.

In this age of car-boot sales and EBAY, surely we are being rather tough
on ourselves?

Just a question folks.