Posted by Richard Crowley on 10/25/07 19:56

"Rick Merrill" wrote...
> Richard Crowley wrote:
>> "Rick Merrill" wrote ...
>>> Bill wrote:
>>> ...
>>>> Am I correct to presume a wedding or dance recital would require the
>>>> "sync license"?
>>> Videographers film weddings all the time with no concerns,
>>
>> That displays a complete ignorance of the law and the risks.
>> It says nothing about the legality of the practice.
>
> I never said a jot about legality, just practicality.

Thank you for the clarification. Your original statement
could have been interpereted as saying that there was
nothing to be concerned about.

>>> as long as it is a private event for private use only.
>>
>> That is one popular belief. Alas, it is completely false.
>
> Not "completely" - depends on where you live as to whether there is hot
> pursuit.

Adding any copyright-protected music to video is
illegal even for private use. That is how the law is
written. You cannot dispute that even if you use
both hands.

Now if you want to argue whether the law is enforced
to that extent, that is a different matter. A very similar
question is whether local, city, state authorities and
law enforcement should openly defy federal law and
refuse to send illegal aliens back home, etc. You can
be sure that the places where they came from would
send YOU right back home if you pulled the same
stunt in THEIR country.

>>> Can you imagine the cost and publicity backlash if a music company tried
>>> to sue newly weds?!
>>
>> It has already happened.
>
> Do you have a URL for example to back up your assertion?

www.weva.com

>> And RIAA goes after infringers of
>> copyright of all types, including wedding videographers.
>
> Of course they do, but not in Podunk.

But that goes back to whether we are discussing what is
legal, vs. what you think you might be able to get away with.

>> Please don't offer specious "legal advice" here. Some unsuspecting
>> folk might actually believe you know what you are talking about.
>
> They get what they pay for. And you should add "IANAL" to your postings,
> especially since you like to project authority.

I'm projecting no authority. I'm citing information available
online to anyone who wants to look for it.

If you have any doubts about what I said, do a Google
Groups search for postings from "PTravel" (who *IS* a
practicing IP attorney) and read his advice. Or spend a
few minutes reading any of the summaries of copyright
law and audio/video production which are available.

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