Understanding+Youtube+Copyright

It is said that elephants never forget, but do they understand how copyright law applies to YouTube usage? Photo courtesy of Carole Cohen (2010)

Understanding Copyright issues can be confusing. If you want to use music in a presentation or just because you are a big fan you need to be aware of copyright laws. Some people have websites with copyrighted music and have paid their royalties and have the appropriate permission that is required to use it. Knowledge of copyright laws is important because many people use music without the necessary permission; this may not be intentional, however there can be legal or financial implications. Some bands, such as the Black Eyed Peas, have allowed the use of their music on certain websites and used it as a publicity tool to advertise their other products. There are many questions that come up around posting videos and other material on youtube. This page provides some resources that could help to clear up questions you may have. [|understanding youtube copyright]

"Live and let live"; "I'm not doing any harm by using this material"; "Why should I pay? The corporations should pay me" are some of the thougjhts behind why people see no harm in using the information they have access to on YouTube. When you re-post a copyrighted work it is the same as walking in to a store and stealing something. Theft is theft. Parody or using music as a soundtrack are also copyright infringement however it is thought that YouTube is currently working with the recording industry to come to some kind of agreement. Many people believe in the right to information; that information should be free.Copyright is the law and therefore must be followed. [|The great YouTube debate]

__Digital Copyright Information__ There are many websites related to digital copyright. With all the terms that can confuse the reader and make it more difficult to understand copyright issues it is important to have a basis for some of the jargon you will come across. To view some of the terminology related to digital copyright go to [|digital copyright jargon]. You can find information on the "Copyright Bill" [|Bill C-32] or about [|Bill C-60] "An Act to amend the Copyright Act" and on the "Conservative Copyright Bill" [|Bill C-61]on one of the many links provided at [|digital copyright]

Bill C-32 is currently in debate in the House of Commons. In his article,[|In Search of a Compromise on Copyright], Michael Geist mentions that 3 of the most contentious issues discussed by all parties are: Digital Locks, Fair Dealing reform and the extension of the private copying levy. One way that digital locks impact ecudation and teaching is by requiring that teaching materials used duing a course must be destroyed within 30 days of completion of the course; The NDP compared this to a digital 'book burning'. The Canadian coursts have established 6 factors to help a court during a fairness inquiry. These are: This means that judges would be required {and able} to assess fair use - including educational use - in a thorough manner without abandoning current copyright laws.
 * 1) The purpose of the dealing
 * 2) The character of the dealing
 * 3) The amount of the dealing
 * 4) Alternatives to the dealing
 * 5) The nature of the work and
 * 6) The effect of the dealing on the work