[HANASHIR:12779] Re: Some copyright advice

[NBudin <NBudin...>]

I guess the law is the law and one can't really justify different gradations 
being better or worse to try to get around...However...

Copyright laws are really in place to protect artists from other people 
profiting from their work without the artist getting compensated. For instance, 
you can't burn CDs or copy song books put out by an artist and then turn around 
and sell them for yourself. Or, if you lead a choir and are planning to perform 
someone else's work for profit, you shouldn't photocopy materials. You should 
purchase as many as you need.

Now, if you are an accompanist for a religious service, and the music is 
already purchased, and you are just making copies for yourself so you can play 
the work more easily...I don't see that as a problem.

I'm getting ready to publish a songbook and have addressed this very issue in 
my introduction. I may be different than other song writers, but I want my 
music to be used and enjoyed. I have stated that people should contact me 
directly for permission to copy materials. I will judge, on a case by case 
basis, whether it's OK. Most of the time, I will give permission. (If anyone 
would like to read the current draft of this introduction, email me privately.) 
Perhaps you can get permission from the composers who are living and/or 
accessible.

Speaking for myself, as a composer, I wouldn't mind an accompanist photocopying 
my material once the book has been purchased, for his/her own use.

Noah Budin 
Singer/Song Writer
Actor/Story Teller
Cleveland, OH
NBudin (at) aol(dot)com

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