Klarinet Archive - Posting 001081.txt from 1997/11

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Public domain and copyrights
Date: Sat, 29 Nov 1997 13:45:22 -0500

On Sat, 29 Nov 1997, Craig E. G. Countryman wrote:

> Well, whatever the case, Baldy, I wasn't aware it was a violation. But
> I suppose I could visit the Congressional website, and pull up the
> copyright law information. I just assumed that there was nothing wrong
> with it.

This is a dangerous assumption....

> It's just like every band director who makes copies of their
> concert band and marching band music. Isn't that illegal? It really
> doesn't hurt anyone though... and many people don't even know there's
> anything wrong with it.

I conduct a band, and I am VERY aware of copyright infringement laws.
They are there to protect composers/arrangers/publishers etc. from
misuse...the kind of misuse you describe above. It DOES hurt the
publisher/composer/arranger if the band director illegally copies music.
If people do not know there is anything wrong with it, that's not excuse
for breaking the copyright laws.

Roger Garrett
IWU