Task 1 - Understanding copyright

Copyright is a very important issue when using another artists music or other materials.  This grants the artist exclusive rights to its use and distribution. Copy right protects original work to be considered a property that is owned by somebody, In the music industry with copyright. It automatically begins one the music has been created/recorded.
In England the copyright law was brought out to protect an artist ideas and product. If copy right did not exist then the original idea, song or even a piece of art work could be taken and used and called someone else's work.
To use someone else's idea whilst the work has been copyrighted, you need to gain permission from the artist who the original idea came from and who owns the copyright for that song. The artist then gives a price of how much they are going to sell there song for. You could do this by writing a letter or getting in another form of contact with the artist until they allow you to use there ideas for a project/film that you are creating. The bigger the artist/song the more money you have to pay to use that song.

In the Uk there is no registration to copyright your ideas/project. All original music is protected by copyright from the time is is created or written or recorded. You will need to prove that you own this idea or particular recording. There are different ways that copyright can be firmly given to you and your idea. By keeping your piece with a lawyer to keep it safe.

http://www.prsformusic.com/creators/memberresources/PRSforMusicroyalties/distributions/Pages/PRSdistributionpolicy.aspx
When creating your idea registering up to MCPS gives you certain rights with what to do with your idea. 'MCPS acts as an agent on your behalf, to administer the following rights:'
'- To copy music ( pressing CD;s, downloads.)
- To issue copies of the work to the public ( Sale of CD's, tapes or vinyl in shops)
- To rent or lend the work to the public (Renting videos, tapes, CD's, library lending)'

When you become a PRS member your music rights are transferred to them. 'These are:
- To preform the music in the public(consorts, pubs, shops ect)
- To communicate the music to the public(including broadcasting, broadcasting on demand and use of music on the internet interactive services, including satellite and cable transmissions)'

For my Music video i am using Rudimentals song 'Waiting all night' audio to create my own music video. Because for this unit i have no way of getting in touch with the people who own the copy right song and am only using this for a class assignment i will not be asking for permission from the band. If i was using this for a feature film and wanted this song to be featured into it i would write a letter to the copy right holder asking for there permission to use there song in my film.

http://www.prsformusic.com/aboutus/essentialinformation/yourquestionsanswered/Pages/WhatwillhappenifyoudontgetaPRSlicence.aspx

If you do break the copy right law and fail to have a licences that allows you to use copy right materiel in public, it may result in civil action against you, which puts you in the position to be able to pay for the damages and costs. There are many representatives around the UK that check to see if you have a licence to use copy right material.