Where should I address issues about my securing copyright for my own score arrangements or translations
I have a number of questions about my securing copyright for my own arrangements or translations. Which area in the Forum is the correct one? Or maybe there is no such area?
Comments
I will point out the links in this thread:
http://musescore.org/en/node/17183
Cordialità
In reply to If you have not already read by Shoichi
Not sure this link is what I am looking for? My issue is with regard to music scores of older songs now in the public domain, which I have worked on and which are my arrangements and my translations, say from another language. How do I make sure these reworked/redesigned scores are attributed to me (arrangement and translation) and remain so, and not used or taken over by someone else without my permission? Any way of registering or securing that?
In reply to Copyright by collierr
The process varies from country to country. But the laws of virtually every country in the world respect a simple copyright message affixed to your score. That is, you are never *required* to register your copyright in any way whatsoever in order to be protected by law. The mere existence of a copyright message on your score makes it illegal for someone to use it (in the ways that copyright law controls, anyhow) without your permission.
Of course, the fact that it is illegal for them to use it in these ways without your permission in no way makes it impossible that will try to do so anyhow. The only way to prevent that is to never let anyone see or hear your music.
In reply to The process varies from by Marc Sabatella
or make a business from suing the offenders...
OK Marc, thanks that does help. Just 3 more things:
1. Would you expect to add the 'c' copyright sign to the note, you add, about who has created?
2. Would you show the following (at the bottom of each of the pages of the score): (I) arranged by (name)....: (ii) translated by (name):...
3. Or both the c sign and the note for arranged by (name)... / translated by (name)...
In reply to Copyright issues by collierr
Again, specific laws vary by country. Most copyright offices have web sites that explain the basics, so just look up the one for your country, whatever that might be.
In general, the copyright symbol is good to include; it's kind of standard / expected regardless of whether it is actually required in your particular country. As for what info to show, that's more up to you. Who did what work is completely irrelevant. It's who owns the copyright - and this may well be someone who has never even met the people who did the work - is what matters as far as the copyright message goes. So show who did what work out of basic politeness, but show who owns the copyright for legal reasons.
In reply to Copyright issues by collierr
As I understand it it is not necessary to include copyright notices on every page.
Provided the document has a copyright notice on the Title Page that will protect the entire piece from plagiarisation.
If you would care to look at some of the pieces I have published for the MuseScore Libraries you will see that I include my Copyright Notice followed by a Creative Commons Licence statement on each title page:
http://musescore.com/user/9641/sets/66803
At one time it was common practice for publishers to include Copyright info on every page, which I think was to deter photocopying. It appears that publishers have now reverted to the prior practice described above.
I hope this helps - copyright law is an absolute minefield, requiring specialist lawyers to resolve disputes.
Finally on a Windows PC keyboard the copyright symbol can be typed by holding down the left ALT key and then pressing the numbers 0169 on the keypad.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=copyright+conventions&rlz=1C1CHFX_en&oq=…
Thanks for your help. (Very impressed by the way with the music you linked me to on Musescore. ) I am not sure if 'transcribed' is the same as 'arranged'? Also the references to ipad and tablet etc , not sure what they mean?
In summary:
I am intending in future to use very old (in public domain) scores and to arrange (or re-arrange) them for, say, lower voices, as an example. I may translate also from another language, starting with, say, the literal translation, but with the words then amended or changed to provide the mood or to get the correct sound needed, say in English.
My problem works both ways. Some scores which are old, have in turn been more recently arranged and translate or words changed by others and those new arrangements/translations may have in turn become subject to copyright! It can be difficult to know for sure. So I am both trying to make sure I display my copyright and also making sure I am not accused of infringing another person's more recent arrangement which itself may be subject to more recent copyright.
That is my dilemma.
In reply to Copyright issues by collierr
A transcription is simply the transfer of the original notes to a new edition.
In my case I am producing scores to be read from iPads or Tablets such as my Samsung Galaxy Note Pro.
In this case only the edition is copyright - anyone is allowed to transfer the notes to another edition for their own purposes, although they're not allowed to directly copy the score without some form of licensing.
Arrangement is different - in this case you are changing the composition in some way, such as the arrangement I have done of Rule Britannia :)
http://musescore.com/user/9641/scores/186679
It is best to work from as old an edition as possible when rearranging old music like this.
Arrangements are copyright in themselves as they have changed the original composition in some way, so not only is the score copyright, but your arrangement of it is also copyright.
As I understand it, one thing which is key in disputes about copyright is whether a particular version existed before someone else's - although if you're up against a big publishing company you may be hard pushed to beat their lawyers even if right is on your side - there have been several examples of radio stations (for example) hijacking a street performer's work and presenting it as their own.
This is why I have a Pro MuseScore.com account. I upload my work there as soon as it is finished so there is less of a problem in proving its existence. I also usually publish the fact it has been uploaded on Facebook.
Hope this helps :)
Thanks to ChurchOrganist. That certainly helps me.
Have not got my head round musescore.com yet but maybe I will when I have arranged a few things/scores.
Will have a look at your Rule Britannia in more detail. Interesting!