Sunday, September 9, 2007

Copyright and Fair Use LR

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14. On Back-to-School night, an elementary school offers child care for students' younger siblings. They put the kids in the library and show them Disney VHS tapes bought by the PTA. This is permissible.

False. Video (like everything else) is not covered under fair use for entertainment or reward. The use described is entertainment, pure and simple. However, Disney will sell you a one-time license for $25 that makes this legal use. Call Disney at (818) 560-1000, ask for "Rights," and prepare to trade faxes.
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First and foremost, I feel that Disney movies are like sunsets: To be enjoyed by all be they old or young, student or teacher, covered by copyright laws or flagrantly violating them. This example states that the VHS tapes were bought by the PTA of the school. There was no charge for the childcare; therefore no money was changing hands so that the children could watch these movies. How is this different than watching Finding Nemo with the kids I babysit so they will stop screaming?? They didn't buy Finding Nemo, and neither did their parents, and it was in their parents' home. I bought the movie. I should sue those law-breakers!

Truly though, I think this is ridiculous. Just because the video happens to be in a school setting it makes it copyright violation. If the circumstances were the same, but the childcare was held across the street from the school, would that change anything? Too many questions, loopholes and ludicricies arise here. This is madness at its basest level. Can you therefore not display art in schools, where children who did not purchase the art can view it? MADNESS, I tell you.

1 comment:

TexasTheresa said...

"Too many questions, loopholes and ludicricies arise here." I believe you've captured the frustrations well.
:>dr.theresa