Copyright issue

[shiva]

Hi everyone!

I have shot a short video art for a collaborative project that will be aired through the BBC. I used a haiku written by LC. The piece refers to the text and corresponds with it. The video was already made when I found out there might be copyright issues by using the text. Can someone give me an advice who to contact / what to do?

Many thanks!

[lizzytysh]

Hi Shiva ~

I hope a link will eventually show up for this. Meanwhile, the email address for Leonard's management is this:

info@5042mail.com

I hope that helps and will at least get you started immediately.

Welcome to the Forum, even though you're on a momentary mission .


~ Lizzy

That's an oddness that I can't explain. I typed simply "info . . . [etc.]," but when I clicked Submit and it appeared on the screen, the words "mailto:" appeared in front of it . That may be a default function to make it be what it really is and/or as a direct link?? I've no idea... I guess I'd try it both ways and see what happens . Anyway, your project sounds very interesting .

Okay... it always takes me longer [awhile!] to find this, but here's the rest:

Mail to Mr. Leonard Cohen
or his management
should be addressed to:

Office
5042 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 585
Los Angeles, CA 90036
USA


And emails to info@5042mail.com

That same thing happened with the email address.

[shiva]

Thank you Lizzy!

I'll come back to tell you what happened and send a link if I can air this

Best!

[lizzytysh]

I'll come back to tell you what happened and send a link if I can air this

Going by what has appeared here, there, and everywhere, my guess is that things will go swimmingly well . I sure hope so. I hope, as well, to find a link in this very spot one day.

You're welcome, Shiva. My pleasure .


~ Lizzy

[jarkko]

Lizzy, don't worry about the "mail" word - the system adds it to show that it's an email address. It works OK and opens your mail editor if you click on it!

[lizzytysh]

Thanks for that little bit of reassurance, Jarkko . I went back twice to see if I'd entered it the way I thought I saw it .


~ Lizzy

[Sebby]

I'm so happy this question was raised. I would love to use the phrase, "There is a crack in everything...that's how the light gets in." as an epigraph to my novel. I was wondering how to go about getting permission. Thanks for asking and thanks for answering!


Sebby

[gingermop]

Hiya Shiva

If the BBC are going to air it, they will usually sort out any copyright issues beforehand (I work for them)

Wanna tell us more? I'll certainly look out for it.

Best,

Gina

[Sebby]

I just sent a request asking for permission to use my siggy line below as an epigraph for my novel. My fingers are crossed...

[hydriot]

Copyright laws, at least in the UK, are more liberal than you realise. You are allowed to quote from and copy a 'reasonable' amount, the precise amount being something of a grey area. Your local library can probably advise you. The important thing is that you must not plagiarise (i.e. pretend the words are your own), so it is both sensible and polite to acknowledge who you are quoting.

You cannot copyright ideas, only actual words and images. This is why musical productions often have new librettos: it's a sneaky way of getting round paying royalties to the original lyricist. You also cannot copyright book titles.

The reality comes down to filthy lucre. If what you are quoting is likely to help you earn significant royalties, then you should expect to pay a commission to the original author. If you are simply quoting a few lines, for example at the start of a book, authors are usually supportive (flattered even) because they know that a quote may actually bring new readers to their own works.

Before making a film about a historical figure, film companies usually find every biographer of that character and agree a modest royalty up-front to each of them, even if they don't in the end use any of those biographers' details ... the reason being they want to avoid any allegations of plagiarism later.

[Red Poppy]

Sebby,
good luck with that.
I've been in the same position in the past and clearance has always been forthcoming.
Shiva,
Gingermop is spot on, it's different in broadcasting - the broadcaster is responsible for copyright clearance and costs.
In the literary world, the author is normally responsible for both.

[linda_lakeside]

Copyright laws, at least in the UK, are more liberal than you realise. You are allowed to quote from and copy a 'reasonable' amount, the precise amount being something of a grey area. Your local library can probably advise you. The important thing is that you must not plagiarise (i.e. pretend the words are your own), so it is both sensible and polite to acknowledge who you are quoting.

You cannot copyright ideas, only actual words and images. This is why musical productions often have new librettos: it's a sneaky way of getting round paying royalties to the original lyricist. You also cannot copyright book titles.

Universal copyright laws are just that, 'Universal'. It's pretty much the same in all countries. The 'reasonable' amount is 'fair usage', for book reviews and the like. No getting around the book titles. How many books/albums are called, say..."The River". Naturally, one can't claim copyright to an 'idea', as 'there is nothing new under the sun, esp. in the realm of ideas'. However, patents are in place for 'inventions'. Although, some companies will make staff, in certain circumstances, forfeit their 'idea' when employed by said company. It then becomes the company's 'idea'. This is normally for 'inventions'.

And yes, if something is aired on radio of TV, the broadcasters pay a fee to a Performing Rights organization for the use of material they have been assigned. No special permissions need be required to use or even perform another person's work on air. If you want to use a short (as well as credited) piece for an epilogue in your novel, it's a pretty good bet that permission will be granted, as long as there are no changes. I used to work in the area of copyright, and although there have been some changes to allow for new technologies, etc., I think the basics remain. Sorry for the long, dry post. I was immersed in copyright issues for so long, it's hard not to butt in when there is copyright discussion. Good luck with your project.

[hydriot]

I understood copyright was very different in the USA, which is why books traditionally carried the caveat 'Not for sale in the USA'. In the UK, copyright is automatic, although these days, following legislation about a decade ago, authors are advised to 'assert' their right to be considered the author of the piece near the title page. I was under the impression that in the USA things were much more complicated, possibly even putting the onus on the author to register his copyright.

[linda_lakeside]

Well, I'm Canadian, and yes, copyright is automatic upon creation. I think when they say 'not for sale in the U.S.' that could refer to sub-publishing agreements, meaning that someone else is administering the rights for the territory of the U.S.

It's far more common for Americans to register their copyright than it is in Canada. For a while people did, indeed, attach the copyright symbol to their material, but if someone were to plagiarize your work, that small effort would be pretty futile. The whole idea behind 'registration', I think, is to establish a date by which one could say they were in ownership - after all, possession is 9/10ths of the law. Again, I want to stress that it's been awhile since I've worked in that area, but I think the fundamental things apply, as time goes by. See? No handcuffs. Seriously, though, I think it's important that a writer, in particular new writers, do what they can to establish that date, even if it means bearing the onus of registration. If there are disputes further on down the road, it makes everyone's life a little less difficult.

[Byron]

The best source for quotes is The Bible. All human life is in there. No problems with copyright. Failing that, there is the Albert Honey-Bunny Catalogue of Really Catchy Stuff to Use in a Manuscript.

Published Eventually by Fabear an Further. Printed 1997. Reprinted whenever you want. £0.99 GBP