| Confused about UK Copyright law in regards to | | | | PRS members music, but unfortunately not every |
| music? Well, this article is here to help you | | | | musician is registered with MCPS/PRS. So make |
| understand about UK copyright law and expell | | | | sure you know who they are registered with or if |
| some of the myths surrounding it. | | | | they collect their own royalties. |
| How Do I Copyright My Music? | | | | Copying it and distributing it is illegal without a |
| Once you have created a piece of music it is | | | | license, so again contact MCPS/PRS or the original |
| YOUR copyright, you just have to prove the | | | | author before doing this. |
| date. To do this there are several ways such as | | | | Also, the same as remixes, there are tracks out |
| giving a copy of the track to your lawyer. You | | | | their released under Creative Commons license |
| can also post the track on a CD to yourself by | | | | and you may be allowed to create cover versions |
| registered post (signed for). Make sure that you | | | | of the works. But, check the license before using |
| have not only made an audio recording but also | | | | the track. |
| include your sequencer files as they will be dated | | | | What Is Creative Commons License? |
| by your computer also. | | | | A Creative Commons license is used for free |
| Do I Have To Register With MCPS/PRS? | | | | material, including audio, and works alongside |
| No. A law was passed (in the UK) so that you can | | | | copyright so that you can set out the terms of |
| chose any person/organisation to represent your | | | | the copyright to suit you. see |
| music and collect royalties. You can also do it | | | | creativecommons.org |
| yourself, collecting all the royalties and cutting out | | | | How Do I Make It Clear My Track Is Copyright? |
| the middle man. However, collecting royalties and | | | | On every demo you send out be it via post, email |
| making sure that people aren't breaching your | | | | or link you can put "© 2009 Your Name". Or |
| copyright can be time consuming if you become a | | | | you can put "Copyright Control" which tells |
| big selling artist. | | | | everyone that the track is copyrighted, but has |
| Can I Use Samples of Someone Else's Work In | | | | no publishers yet. |
| My Own Tracks? | | | | Can I upload DJ Mixes I Mixed Myself? |
| No. You must not use anyone else work, no | | | | Again, permission must be sought from the |
| matter how long or short the sample is. Contrary | | | | original authors of the material you are planning on |
| to popular belief, samples under 15 seconds are | | | | using in DJ Mixes. Some websites claim to be legal |
| NOT allowed under current copyright law. Also, | | | | to upload mixes to, but you have to be careful |
| even if you mangle the sample, its still illegal. So | | | | and check whether this is true or not. If you are |
| before sampling contact the owners. | | | | unsure of the websites legality, then do not |
| There are tracks out there that you CAN sample, | | | | upload. |
| such as some tracks that have been released | | | | However, tracks released under the Creative |
| under certain open content licenses such as | | | | Commons license CAN be used in FREE mixes |
| Creative Commons. But make sure that its ok by | | | | you upload to the net as long as you do not |
| reading the license first as not all open content | | | | make any money from the mixes. Check the |
| releases are available to create derivative | | | | Creative Commons license for full details. |
| versions of the works. | | | | Can I Add Someone Else's Music To A Video? |
| If you think its going be too much for you to get | | | | Permission again must be sought to use music in |
| permission, there are sample clearance agencies | | | | your video's. Even if you are not making any |
| that can do this for you. | | | | money, you still have to get permission. |
| Can I Create Cover Versions? | | | | Hopefully you have now gotten to grips with basic |
| Yes and No. You can create the cover version, | | | | uk copyright law. If not here are the main points: |
| but you cannot distribute or perform the track | | | | 1. Copyright belongs to the creator as soon as it |
| without getting permission first. Usually venues | | | | is created |
| pay a license for Copyrighted works of MCPS | | | | 2. |