
- 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.
information about copyright
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.