Copyright MattersCopyright Matters

www.wisekids.org.uk

• Whilst file sharing programmes like BitTorrent, BearShare, FrostWire etc, can be used to share legitimate content, they are often used to share copyright music and movies. Such use can expose you to inappropriate content, viruses and legal prosecution. This is because anyone can upload files for sharing using these programmes, and in some cases the files may contain viruses. With some file sharing programmes, you are actually searching the content on other sharer’s computers!

Listening to music and watching videos online using Spotify and YouTube is great! You can also purchase and download music from Amazon, iTunes and other services. However, there are still people who would like to download their music and movie files for free, and in some cases, computer programmes too! This has many consequences, and the following are some key points for you to keep in mind:

• Always remember to credit the source of your information, even if the information has been taken from a website. Many students don’t do this, and get into trouble! In general, material available online is automatically copyright unless otherwise stated

• Downloading and sharing copyright music, movies, programmes and content is illegal in the UK. There are many people debating this and other digital issues. In the UK, the British Phonographic Industry has fined individuals for sharing copyright music using programmes like Limewire. To learn more about these issues, see: https://www.eff.org and http://www.pro-music.org

• If you are a creator of music, video or other content, and want to assign a license to your work for free, whilst allowing it to be shared, you can use a Creative Commons license - like this document! Creative Commons: http://www.creativecommons.org is a US based organisation which aims to help people license and share their content easily, whilst retaining attribution rights. Similarly, if you are looking for legal-to-use photos, videos and music for your homework or projects, you can search the Creative Commons website: http://search.creativecommons.org

• If you wanted to listen to music online legally for free, sites like: http://www.youtube.com, http://www.spotify.com, http://www.deezer.com and http://www.we7.com are great! Some of these sites will also let you set up playlists of your favourite songs and music videos

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