The Importance of Copyright Protection
Good day friends,
In this installment, we take another look at the business of protection (copyright that it is). We explore the process of how to acquire it and why it is so important. To help facilitate the process we will draw upon other authorities on the topic. As well as provide you with an easy (32-step) guide to copyrighting your material (but don’t worry, its easier than it sounds). However, we will first examine a recent case involving infringement to understand the true worth of the process.
Righthaven v. Democratic Underground
In recent years (or since the emergence of Internet as we know it) blogs and broadcasting sites have been at the forefront of distributing information. Often times even besting many of the established powerhouses in the process. As is the case with any new market, new opportunity emerges for those looking to profit. Which is the issue at core of Righthaven v. Democratic Underground. Take a look at the case summary according to EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation).
Righthaven has brought over 200 lawsuits in Nevada federal court claiming copyright infringement… they create lawsuits by scouring the Internet for content from Review-Journal stories posted on blogs and online forums, purporting to acquire the copyright to that particular story from Stephens Media LLC (the Review-Journal's publisher), and then suing the poster for infringement (Electronic Frontier Foundation).
As stated best by the people over at Entertainment law update, this process (or the people known for pursuing these cases) are often times referred to as copyright trolls. While the case was ultimately dismissed, creators of the content can protect themselves ahead of time to thwart such attacks.
Provided below is a link to a step-by-step guide on how to copyright your material. I believe this an integral part of the process for any individual looking to produce music. This is especially true in cases like Righthaven v. Democratic Underground have become the norm. http://calliopebb.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/copyright-yo-shit-the-step-by-step-guide/
As always thanks for reading…
Reference:
1. Monkey Around with Copyright Law
http://www.entertainmentlawupdate.com/page/2/
2. Mark Quial - Music Law Publishing Part 1 & 2
http://www.markquail.com/podcast/rss.xml
3. “The Pope and Little Mermaid turn it up”
http://www.entertainmentlawupdate.com/2009/08/episode-4-the-pope-little-mermaid-turn-it-up-to-11/
