Does anyone know what the copyright regulations regarding music photocopying for rehersal purposes? I wanted to photocopy a duet so the other person could practice it, but the person in the library said that under no circumstances is music to be photcopied. Then my friend had to buy the book. Is what the librarian said correct?

Under no circumstances, ever, except for pageturning, in which case the user of the photocopied page must be using the original at the same time.

There are no exceptions, even in schools which have photocopying licenses which cover EVERYTHING else.

Oh, I forgot to mention, that never really stops anyone doing it, but you do it at your own risk.

She is right you can photocopy it only for your own use I think. I would have done it anyway:)

this had happened to me before... just photocopy it if u ar just using it yourself or ur friends....

Dear all

A quick word about copyright. It is illegal to photocopy copyright music without authorization from the relevant publisher, and this is a matter that all publishers take very seriously. That said, there are certain exceptions under the law - eg for private study. In addition, members of the Music Publishers Association (MPA) have agreed a 'Code of Fair Practice' which lists further exceptions - eg for page-turning purposes. Most, though by no means all, UK music publishers are members of the MPA.

Before making a photocopy, you should make sure that your proposed use is legal, and that you adhere to the prescribed conditions. The MPA produces a very useful document detailing its Code of Fair Practice, and also outlining briefly the exceptions permitted by law. For further information, visit the MPA's website at www.mpaonline.org.uk.

Sarah Brear
Copyright Manager
ABRSM Publishing

Does anyone know the rules for using a tune, eg a current pop song, which you arrange yourself and is then performed in a school concert?

QUOTE (trio @ Jun 15 2004, 01:24 PM)

Does anyone know the rules for using a tune, eg a current pop song, which you arrange yourself and is then performed in a school concert?

I've done that, for myself and for pupils and for friends, tens if not hundreds of times. I'm pretty certain it's no more illegal than Kareoke, and long as it's an arrangement and not a perfect copy.

Also, if you record it and sell it, that's illegal. That never stopped anyone I know though!

i do photocopy music, but for personal home use.

as long as you are not selling it, then its ok.

QUOTE (trio @ Jun 15 2004, 01:24 PM)

Does anyone know the rules for using a tune, eg a current pop song, which you arrange yourself and is then performed in a school concert?

I wonder if composing and publishing pieces like "Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini" (or other "XXX on a theme of XXX" and all those transcirptions by Liszt) is legal under the current copyright law.
Say if I got inspired by the soundtrack of Harry Potter and compose pieces that stemmed from the theme / musical idea .. is that illegal?

QUOTE (~Apple~ @ Jun 17 2004, 12:54 PM)

I wonder if composing and publishing pieces like "Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini" (or other "XXX on a theme of XXX" and all those transcirptions by Liszt) is legal under the current copyright law. Say if I got inspired by the soundtrack of Harry Potter and compose pieces that stemmed from the theme / musical idea .. is that illegal?

We did that at school,not on Harry Potter, but a theme and variations on a popular melody. All we had to say was "*title of piece* based on *title of tune*" If that makes sense???

QUOTE (missfabflute @ Jun 17 2004, 08:56 AM)

i do photocopy music, but for personal home use. as long as you are not selling it, then its ok.

For example, if YOU owned a piece of music and wanted to write notes all over it for study purposes, but didn't like the idea of ruining the look, you could photocopy your piece of music for you to write all over it, BUT you couldn't photocopy your piece of music for someone ELSE to write all over it, and then for them to keep this copy for their use.


You also cannot photocopy someone ELSE's music (including the public library) for your personal use.

You can however, LEND or BORROW.

If a police officer arrests you because you have photocopied music do you get a custodial sentence?

I think you get fined. In Australia, it's thousands of dollars.

Interesting thread - and thanks to Sarah Brear for helpful information.

I've always been quite clear with my private pupils that they don't use photocopies of someone else's book - sometimes transferring students have been given photocopies or allowed to make them, and I don't go along with that. If they want to learn the piece they have to buy their own copy, or borrow one.

But I've also been in the position of being instructed by an employer to make large numbers of photocopies, in some cases probably illegally.Others must have been in this situation too - if the employer is found out I wonder if the employee is also liable to prosecution ??

Maggie