
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.