Copyright Infringement

My three-legged aliens have nothing to do with War of the Worlds. That was an homage to my favorite PC game Half-life 2 (which, by the way, if you've ever seen my actual model, looks nothing like either of them).

If you're gonna blame me for infringement, at least get the facts right first! :)
 
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Why should the mods have to be clear about copyright infringement??!!

It's common sense. You're publicly exhibiting a film to everyone in the world, you don't use other people's ideas/and or characters, etc.....And why would you want to, be original, show your creativity.

This is a waste of time for the mods and a pointless discussion, IMO.
 
Filmjunkie677 said:
Why should the mods have to be clear about copyright infringement??!!

It's common sense. You're publicly exhibiting a film to everyone in the world, you don't use other people's ideas/and or characters, etc.....And why would you want to, be original, show your creativity.

This is a waste of time for the mods and a pointless discussion, IMO.
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Uhm--

She didn't start it because she didn't know the terms of copyright infringement...

She started the thread to inform others of the dangers of it. And believe it or not, some people will STILL infringe on secure material, no matter how smart you think they are.

It's not stupid or pointless... it's to help people whom might not know better.
 
I don't understand how someone wouldn't know if something is infrindgement on a property (character, or story). Anyway... I think this point has been discussed plenty, and if anyone has a specific question. You can PM Jarred or Barry S
 
briceman said:
I don't understand how someone wouldn't know if something is infrindgement on a property (character, or story). Anyway... I think this point has been discussed plenty, and if anyone has a specific question. You can PM Jarred or Barry S
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The Happy Birthday song is copyright infringement. You aren't even supposed to sing it in the privacy of your own home.

But, everyone knows that.

All I'm saying is that it's not a pointless thread. People need to realize that you CAN get in trouble for infringing on copyrights, and some people don't know the extent of it. How many times have you seen a short music video with copywritten music? You CAN get in trouble for that, that's a fact.

Anyway, I hope someone benefited from it.
 
Sure, agreed... I just think Filmjunkie's point was when it turned to accusing people it got pointless... anyway, I think we best focus on the next fest... movin' on :)
 
Exactly , Briceman, it wasnt an attack on who started the thread.

Sorry, it is pointless when we are on three pages of posts and its been discussed to death and now is trying to get the mods involved when they have stated their case and have more important things to do.
And i'm not chiming in on this again.
 
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Also, remember, it's only infringement if you don't have express prior written permission. If DC comics and Warner Bros. gives you express written permission to do a short film that involves the Batman franchise, etc., then it should be fine. Of course, it would most likely be impossible to get such permission, but there may be other smaller characters that you could contact the publisher of & you may be surprised ... again, doubtful, but if you don't ask the answer is already no.
 
I have no intention on using anyone elses copyrighted material. Already stated that. I started the thread so the RULES of the contest are CLEAR, especially to newer people... already stated that too.

And since there's already been a film in one of the fests here using concepts from Lucas Arts, I don't think it's at all clear. I don't give a crap what people wanna use, that's up to them -- but copyright infringement and understanding what is and isn't the intellectual property of someone is not an easy issue.

For the record, I wasn't accusing anyone of anything. If you notice I specifically didn't mention who the film maker was at the beginning. Pablo chose to "out" himself. It's really up to him to decide what he uses in his films, and it's up to the mods/owners of this site to determine what is and isn't acceptable.

There is nothing "common sense" about copyright law. Some of it's clear -- some of it not-so-much (and no, not EVERYONE knows about the "Happy Birthday" thing).

If the mods think this thread pointless, they are welcome to close it... but honestly, I think it's a valuable discussion to have to be sure that what is and isn't copyright infringement is clear... as a film maker, it's important to know.
 
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Pointless? If this post is so pointless...then quite honestly dont even waste your time opening the thread. Its really as simple as that. If the COMMUNITY thinks its a pointless post, the post will quickly get buried.....so either way....there shouldnt be a worry.

I work for a cd/dvd replicator. To say that copyright infringement is "common sense" really is NOT a reality. It isnt.....and you would be SURPRISED as to what goes thru (or atleast tries to go thru) a replication house. :)

I think for ANY creative forum to think that talking about copyrights is "pointless" is really not living in the real world. It can help ANYONE who is in a creative field wether it be a hobby and/or a profession.

Do you know how many people may have just learned about copyright infringement with "Happy Birthday" on these forums? Even if just ONE then the discussion was worth it.
 
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What's all the heat & frustration suddenly about, that I'm feeling here?

My post about contacting someone for permission wasn't for you, EditPhish, but for anyone who may read this thread.

While originality is ideal, there are some legitimate characters out there (even the unknown ones that Pablo's created) that would be cool to see a short done with ... and infringement would only be if permission was not expressly granted.

Oh, and that's crap about singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Whatever. That's like saying you're not allowed to sing some popular tune in your car, the shower, etc. Now, if it's to be played in a film, or other commercial venue, that could be different ... but to say we're not to sing it in the privacy of our own home, I simply don't buy it.
 
Envision said:
Oh, and that's crap about singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Whatever. That's like saying you're not allowed to sing some popular tune in your car, the shower, etc. Now, if it's to be played in a film, or other commercial venue, that could be different ... but to say we're not to sing it in the privacy of our own home, I simply don't buy it.
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Yeah, really.
 
Just to clarify (again proving how copyright isnt so cut and dry) :)....

Singing Happy Birthday at home wont bring the "infringement" police to your door unless of course you are charging money for the birthday party :) .....Thats one of the reasons most restaurants now use their own bithday song for patrons!
 
wow... this thread is going nowhere fast lol... I think most of the pertinent information has been given...
 
"Happy Birthday" -- Sing it in your house all you want... but don't use it commercially.

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from: http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/birthday.asp

[FONT=Bookman Old Style,Arial]"Does this mean that everyone who warbles 'Happy Birthday to You' to family members at birthday parties is engaging in copyright infringement if they fail to obtain permission from or pay royalties to the song's publisher? No. Royalties are due, of course, for commercial uses of the song, such as playing or singing it for profit, using it in movies, television programs, and stage shows, or incorporating it into musical products such as watches and greeting cards; as well, royalties are due for public performance, defined by copyright law as performances which occur 'at a place open to the public, or at any place where a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its social acquaintances is gathered.' So, crooning 'Happy Birthday to You' to family members and friends at home is fine, but performing a copyrighted work in a public setting such as a restaurant or a sports arena technically requires a license from ASCAP or the Harry Fox Agency (although such infringements are rarely prosecuted)."

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The end part goes to what JTyner is saying -- go to TGI Fridays or Applebees -- these big chains most often have their OWN version of "Happy Birthday" just for that reason. They didn't do it to be cute. :happy:

Take note next time you see a movie with "Happy Birthday to You" in it... they'll be a credit at the end (and rest assured, they got the licensing).


 [/FONT]
 
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