Mac - Week 1- Comments on Copyright

@Melissa Lodhi-

I find the issues surrounding copyright law fascinating.  I am particularly interested because much of my career revolves around these laws.  As a professional choreographer, my own intellectual property is protected but I run into massive risks when using music to accompany my work.  Trying to publish or share my work is impossible without original music, which is unaffordable in most cases.  The video “Good Copy, Bad Copy” was eye-opening.  I am extremely baffled by how so many artists are able to produce work that is technically infringing on copyright.  It sounds like all remixes and remakes of songs are stealing intellectual property.  Copyright law is a jumble of pitfalls and loopholes.  In order to pay artists for their work, all 3000 songs on my iPod have been purchased on hardcopy or through iTunes, but I have on many occasions used the work of artists as accompaniment for my work which is technically a no-no.  

My comments...

Melissa- I am in the same boat when it comes to knowing what to do related to copyright. I have been telling graphic design students for years that they cannot use the work of others when they design a logo or other design for any purpose whether it is for a client or personal use. They just don't get it and sometimes, I wonder if any of us really get it all, 100% of the time. I recall the times throughout our EMDT program that one of us would be questioned about getting permission to use music as backgrounds on our video creations. Oh sure, you know creative commons, or free music, or even paid for CDs and using the clips was thought to be OK. But now I am beginning to realize that in most cases, it probably wasn't OK at all. 

I had an interesting conversation with my son and granddaughter today about remixes. We were talking about Lady Gaga and her change in style that was so much like Madonna, we thought that was who we were listening to. So is that wrong too? I wonder if she got permission.... hmmm! And what about all the thousands of artists who used the work of the masters as a foundation for developing their own style or process- does that also intrude on copyright? Lots to think about!

MAC-Week 1: Reading Reflection

 


Rules... rules... rules... how to make sure you don't break copyright laws can be very perplexing! 

 As I listened to the 10 myths video and the copyright basics that Joe Bustillos provided, the issue about how long a copyright lasts (lifetime+70 years for an author and 100 years for a company) triggered more questions that needed further investigation. I started thinking about all of the various pieces of fine art as well as illuminated manuscripts, and music that might fall outside of this guideline. For example, what about music written before 1900 such as: Bach to Brahms (ca. 1700-1900) or the use of a Requiem or chamber music for background music in a video for education? Or how about the masterpieces created by Donatello (1386-1466), Michelangelo (1475-1564), and da Vinci (1452-1519) all who died before 1900? Then there are the logo designs and the very beginnings of branding from the 1700 and 1800s such as family genealogy coats of arms or the coca-color script used for the logo/branding by John Pemberton in 1886 (Bellis); would these still fall into the category of copyright if one wanted to use those works to create something new for another purpose. Would we still have to gain permission from family members because the original copyright holder was no longer living, to use these items? And what about literature and a variety of authors such as TS Eliot, Virginia Woolf’s essays, or Shakespeare (circa 1558-1939)?

As a graphic designer and visual communication instructor, students are always asking if they can use images, text, or fonts that have been created by others as part of their design work for various projects. In the past I have always said no unless they could get permission to use the images but that they would have to incorporate the original work in such a way as to significantly change it so that it became another original work created by them. In that way they would use the original work as an example of a style or thematic application upon which to build their own original designs. So, now this issue of time constraints raises another question in how to deal with copyrighted materials.

The information that was given on copyright basics was great! But if we are to adhere to copyright law, could we use the video to show our students by simply getting Joe’s permission to use the footage, or would we also have to get permission from Brad Templeton?

Bellis, M. (no date). The inventor’s guide: The history of Coca-Cola. Retrieved 3/29/11 from: http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/coca_cola.htm

MAC Class-Month 11-Week 1 Extra... Extra... read all about it!

If you are a new visitor- welcome to my ramblings. And if you are another fellow rambler or traveler of academia who is brave enough to have made it to month 11 and the MAC course, hold on tight because the media course for April at FSO with Joe Bustillos looks like it is going to be non-stop with loads of cool activities. Over the last few weeks I have read many posts on Facebook from fellow classmates that were graduating from Full Sail and I was so envious. But sometimes a body's gotta do what a body's gotta do and a break was a necessity. And that meant I was 2 months behind those I started with. But, the new groups of students that I have had the privilege of working with since coming back have been wonderful. I have twice a many friends now, and the end of May will soon be here and then I can be one of those posting my news of graduation.

I am looking forward to blogging away for the next 4 weeks. My "Ramblings" blog was started when I began the program at Full Sail and has posts scattered all along my journey. I have also included links to my other 2 blogs- one for business, and one for the courses I teach at Lone Star College. Ramblings also features my digital portfolio and links to some of the other resources I have found valuable. Soon I will be posting links to my AR project so watch for updates.

Well time for some shut-eye so will talk to you again tomorrow. Thanks for following and joining in the conversations. Feel free to comment and offer feedback- either uplifting or challenging me to push the limits and work outside the box.

Farewell to month 10 LMS with Dr. Reo

Well the ride was fast and furious in March at FSO and I can't believe it's over. Got to explore and try out all the great elements offered in a free LMS called Schoology. Managed to build the beginning of My Perfect Unit One and might try out some of the ideas shared by others in the class when I teach my digital publishing course for LoneStar College. Only 2 more months to go. . .  so on to the MAC course with Joe Bustillos! Full Sail ahead. . . Charge!!!

Several people have requested a Website for viewing my design portfolio so for now you will see it in movie format in the previous post. Enjoy!

Valunas Digital Portfolio