Since the cost of video duplication is cheap and
copies can be made at home on most PC's, it can be
hard to control the distribution (approved or
unapproved) of videotaped dance works.

  • Artistic directors have many questions about
    who holds the legal rights to videotaped
    material and what those rights entail.  Rights to
    use of a choreography or music should be
    obtained up front.  Rights issues can be
    complicated and a dance company could spend
    money producing footage it will not have the
    legal right to use.  For this reason signed
    Performers Releases are necessary for both the
    performers and videographer(s) and rights to
    use music must be acquired in advance of
    production.

  • Securing rights to music is one of the most
    overlooked issues by most dancers.  Often
    dancers will post video on YouTube of their
    dance performance, only to have the sound
    blocked because they used a well known piece
    of music by a well known recording artist.  
    Ask permission before you choreograph.

  • The area of copyright as it relates to dance and
    video is a little understood issue. Original work
    or expressions are protected by copyright.
    Artistic directors and videographers must
    insure that everyone receives the appropriate
    rights and protections afforded by copyright
    law.  Dance, much like music, is subject to
    copyright once it has become fixed or written.
    This "fixing" can take the form of notation,
    diagrams or video.

  • In work-for-hire situations, generally the
    employer retains copyright to the finished
    work.  For example, if you pay for the
    videographer to shoot the video, pay for the
    tapes, pay for the editing, and pay for the
    Master or duplication, you most definitely have
    retained exclusive rights to the video.  If the
    videographer is footing the bill, and the dancers
    are paid talent, the videographer retains the
    rights to the footage.  Sometimes the cost is
    shared as would be the profits, but this is rare
    and usually happens only with promoters or
    studios.  Once again, performers releases and
    written contract set all parties clear of their
    rights and obligations.
licensing, helping people
dedicate their creative works to
the public domain.

United States Copyright Office,
Library of Congress,
Washington, DC  Information
on copyright basics, searching
copyright records, registering a
work, copyright law and policy,
licensing, and publications.

How Music Licensing Works
by Marshall Brain on "How
Stuff Works" Website

Harry Fox Agency  HFA is the
foremost mechanical licensing,
collection, and distribution
agency for music publishers in
the U.S.

ASCAP - American Society of
Composers, Authors and
Publishers

BMI - Broadcast Music
Incorporated

Universal Music Publishing
Group
Licenses music by many top 40
Artists

Power Music  Licenses music
for  video and commercials

Music Box.com  A Music
Production Company offering
both custom scoring and a high
quality premium music catalog
of over 200 CDs

Bellydance music available for
license on Audio Sparx
Copyright Issues for Dance Video
Copyright © 2005-2010, Cintronart Productions.  All video images and material are property of Cintronart
Productions, unless otherwise noted.  Any use in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission.