Copyright LawCopyright Law

An An ReviewReview on Computer Music Files on Computer Music Files and P2P File Sharingand P2P File Sharing

Copyright:Copyright:

Copyright is a form of protection Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, US Code) to the States (title 17, US Code) to the authors of “original works of authors of “original works of authorship,” including literary, authorship,” including literary, dramatic, dramatic, musicalmusical, artistic, and , artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both protection is available to both published and unpublished works. published and unpublished works.

What is copyright ? What is copyright ?

The right to make copies from an The right to make copies from an original piece of a new creation.original piece of a new creation.

The copyright revenues ($$) shared The copyright revenues ($$) shared between all participants in the between all participants in the venture: normally the composer, venture: normally the composer, lyricist and the publisher.lyricist and the publisher.

What are What are royaltiesroyalties??

Two Types of CopyrightsTwo Types of Copyrights

Creation CopyrightCreation Copyright: : The composer owns this right to his music. The composer owns this right to his music.

In most cases this copyright is assigned to a In most cases this copyright is assigned to a publisher to "sell" the song.  publisher to "sell" the song. 

Recording performance production Recording performance production copyrightcopyright: : The right of a performing artist to create The right of a performing artist to create

their specific interpretation their specific interpretation (production/performance) of the song/music (production/performance) of the song/music which was already recorded . which was already recorded .

You have broken the Law if you;You have broken the Law if you;

burn CDs for your friendsburn CDs for your friends

download songs using P2P systemsdownload songs using P2P systems

make photo copies of copyrighted make photo copies of copyrighted materialmaterial

What are Computer Music Files ?What are Computer Music Files ?

Computer music files are another form Computer music files are another form of recording music.of recording music.

You may substitute Computer Music You may substitute Computer Music Files with MIDI, MOD, WAV, RA, RMI, Files with MIDI, MOD, WAV, RA, RMI, MP3,…MP3,…

Copyright laws apply to all formats of Copyright laws apply to all formats of Music in any form Music in any form

““digital sheet music”digital sheet music”

MIDI is the most MIDI is the most common formcommon form

MIDI files can be MIDI files can be transformed into transformed into printed musicprinted music

.

Public DomainPublic Domain

Public domain means the copyright has Public domain means the copyright has expired . This is the case for music where expired . This is the case for music where the creator is dead for more than 50 years, the creator is dead for more than 50 years, in most countries now even 75 years. in most countries now even 75 years.

Most popular songs are not even half this Most popular songs are not even half this old and are not yet in the public domain.old and are not yet in the public domain.

Mozart’s music=Public DomainMozart’s music=Public Domain Eminem’s music=NOT in the public domainEminem’s music=NOT in the public domain

What is P2PWhat is P2P

P2P stands for "peer-to-peer." P2P stands for "peer-to-peer." When we use P2P software, our When we use P2P software, our

computer's hard drive becomes a computer's hard drive becomes a server that allows someone else to server that allows someone else to access files stored on our computer. access files stored on our computer.

In short: Another computer user can In short: Another computer user can connect directly to our computer and connect directly to our computer and download whatever music files we've download whatever music files we've stored there. stored there.

P2P File Sharing SystemsP2P File Sharing Systems

KazaaKazaa AresAres GnutellaGnutella GroksterGrokster MorpheusMorpheus Sharing music on Sharing music on

these sites is illegal these sites is illegal

File transfersFile transfers

Downloading: From a P2P network Downloading: From a P2P network user's point-of-view, downloading is user's point-of-view, downloading is receiving a song from another receiving a song from another computer. computer.

Uploading: From a P2P network Uploading: From a P2P network user's point-of-view, to upload a song user's point-of-view, to upload a song is to send it to another computer is to send it to another computer user. user.

I don’t upload so I’m ok. Right?I don’t upload so I’m ok. Right?

Wrong: Both downloading and Wrong: Both downloading and uploading music is illegal.uploading music is illegal.

Currently uploading activity is the Currently uploading activity is the central focus of lawsuits, but this is central focus of lawsuits, but this is changing. changing.

Use of P2P systems can result in Use of P2P systems can result in legal fees and civil penalties, which legal fees and civil penalties, which range from $750 to $150,000 or range from $750 to $150,000 or more per violation. more per violation.

ReviewReview

CopyrightCopyright RoyaltiesRoyalties Computer Music FilesComputer Music Files Digital Sheet MusicDigital Sheet Music P2PP2P File TransfersFile Transfers Public DomainPublic Domain