[LM_NET] HIT: GEN: copyright question

[Nancy Kershner <nkershner@SBC.EDU>]

I got many requests for a hit and the following two responses regarding
my question about playing educational songs over the school intercom
system:

 From Bonnie Fulmer, the following important points:       "I'm sure
you'll hear from experts, but I can tell you that this wouldneed
permission.. it's not only a "public performance," but   broadcast, as
well.  An entire song (or any multimedia, video, etc.) can ONLY be
played in a classroom, for students in a credit-bearing class, as part
of face-to-face
teaching activities, directly tied to the curriculum being studied at
that
time.  And it has to be a legally-obtained copy. (so if somebody taped
it
off TV last fall, it couldn't be used this spring).  Phew.
        You'd have to contact the copyright holder of each song you want to
play,
unless, lik eyou say, BMI or ASCAP can grant licensing."

And the definitive answer from Carol Simpson:  "ASCAP or BMI are the
appropriate contacts for this use. Because there is no direct teaching
involved here, this doesn't meet the educational guidelines for AV.
Both ASCAP and BMI have online clearing databases of songs in their
catalogs."

Nancy Kershner
Library Media Specialist
Amelon Elementary School
Madison Heights, VA

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