[Ansteorra] RE: Infringing Copyrights

[jerryn at houston.rr.com]

While I can't be sure how Master Ivar has handled it, the following is an option:

1) write the piece (always important).

2) Place a dated copy somewhere (insurance that it doesn't get lost).

3) Get the piece copyrighted (This is from the web page: www.whatiscopyright.org).

"For example, my brother is a musician and he lives in the United States. When he writes new lyrics, he prints them out on paper, signs his name at the bottom with the Copyright © symbol to show that he is the author, places it in an envelope and mails it to himself without opening it. His copyright begins at the moment he puts his idea in a tangible form by printing the lyrics out on paper. He creates proof when he mails it to himself - the postmark establishes the date of creation. He then registers his copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office which is a requirement in order to sue for monetary damages should a violation of his copyright arise. However, if somebody copies and redistributes his lyrics without permission before his copyright is registered, he still has the right to assert a copyright claim as the true author."

Once these steps are done, whether he decides to have the work published eventually, or decides to never "publish" the work, he still has the rights to the work to himself.  He can allow others to perform it as they may, but unless he gives permission it can't be performed on a medium that would violate the copyright.

As for Born on the Listfield; it's important to note that Master Ivar has requested that the song not be written for several reasons, but most important was to encapture the oral tradition of learning a thing, which is done quite frequently now, but in a different, more repetitive medium than was done upon a time.  For those who need the words in front of them in order to learn the song, then use whatever tool you need.  This was done in period as well.  However, since we play/live in a society that asks it's members to value honor, once you've learned the piece, destroy the copy, and be willing to teach it to others who ask in the same oral tradition.

In service to the dream with a song in my heart, I am
HL Gerald of Leesville
A bard of Stargate

----- Original Message -----
From: "Young, Carolyn" <Carolyn.Young at goodmanmfg.com>
Date: Monday, November 1, 2004 10:50 am
Subject: [Ansteorra] RE: Infringing Copyrights

> So again, just where does this put "Born on the List Field" since 
> the author
> has not put it into a *tangible form* and has expressly stated his 
> wishesthat it not be done so?  Or indeed, anything done in Period 
> oral tradition
> style?
> 
> HL Caitlin nan Cnoc Airghead
> Chronicler, Shire of Gates Edge
> 
> Carolyn B. Young
> Goodman Mfg.
> IT - Branch
> 713/861.2500 ext 425
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> 
> Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 19:35:47 -0500
> From: Barat <barat at cox.net>
> Subject: Re: Infringing Copyrights RE: [Ansteorra] looking for song
> To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
> Message-ID: <CE9C559F-2AD4-11D9-9E0B-000A9590B7F8 at cox.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=WINDOWS-1252;	format=flowed
> 
> Sorry for the late response to this, but I've been out of 
> circulation 
> for two weeks.
> 
> The information you presented on copyright is incorrect. The 
> following 
> information is taken directly from U.S. Copyright Circular 1: 
> Copyright 
> Basics.
> 
> http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ1.html
> 
> and the information on fair use includes information taken from 
> the 
> 1961 Report of the Register of Copyrights on the General Revision 
> of 
> the U.S. Copyright Law which sites the findings of several court 
> cases 
> concerning fair use. Please note the information on parodies as it 
> is 
> directly applicable to S.C.A. song "filking".
> 
> ________________________________________
> 
> 
> Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original 
> works 
> of authorship including: literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic 
> works - such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, 
> and 
> architecture
> 
> A work is under Copyright protection the moment it's: created and 
> fixed 
> in a tangible form so that it is perceptible either directly or 
> with 
> the aid of a machine or device (such as a computer or tape/CD player).
> 
> How long does copyright last? For works created after January 1, 
> 1978, 
> copyright protection will endure for the life of the author plus 
> an 
> additional 70 years. In the case of a joint work, the term lasts 
> for 70 
> years after the last surviving author's death. For anonymous and 
> pseudonymous works and works made for hire, the term will be 95 
> years 
> from the year of first publication or 120 years from the year of 
> creation, whichever expires first.
> 
> 
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