University work

MikeyP

MikeyP

Well-known member
Quick querie... We are planning on doing an educational series released thru catalog companies and by direct mail. The subject has a very narrow field of interest, potentially less than 25,000 clients. In researching the topic, we stumbled upon a topic outline and presentation produced in PowerPoint with recorded VO's embedded, that was produced by a state technical college.

We would be shooting this in HD with live footage, they used stills, so I know visually the presentation would be different. However, the outline and presentation style is very similar or better than we had been planning. There is no copyright on the presentation, but it is hosted on a state technical college's website, produced by 3 of their staff members.

Is this script copywritten?

Does the public institution allow us to base our script/performance off of this?

What do you think is the best way to handle this?
 
MikeyP said:
Quick querie... We are planning on doing an educational series released thru catalog companies and by direct mail. The subject has a very narrow field of interest, potentially less than 25,000 clients. In researching the topic, we stumbled upon a topic outline and presentation produced in PowerPoint with recorded VO's embedded, that was produced by a state technical college.

We would be shooting this in HD with live footage, they used stills, so I know visually the presentation would be different. However, the outline and presentation style is very similar or better than we had been planning. There is no copyright on the presentation, but it is hosted on a state technical college's website, produced by 3 of their staff members.

Is this script copywritten?

Does the public institution allow us to base our script/performance off of this?

What do you think is the best way to handle this?
Click to expand...
I would say to contact them in some way, preferably over the phone or in person.
 
MikeyP said:
Quick querie... We are planning on doing an educational series released thru catalog companies and by direct mail. The subject has a very narrow field of interest, potentially less than 25,000 clients. In researching the topic, we stumbled upon a topic outline and presentation produced in PowerPoint with recorded VO's embedded, that was produced by a state technical college.

We would be shooting this in HD with live footage, they used stills, so I know visually the presentation would be different. However, the outline and presentation style is very similar or better than we had been planning. There is no copyright on the presentation, but it is hosted on a state technical college's website, produced by 3 of their staff members.

Is this script copywritten?

Does the public institution allow us to base our script/performance off of this?

What do you think is the best way to handle this?
Click to expand...

Generally a copyright exists from the moment a work is fixed in tangible form. So the script became copyright the mement it was written down, certain ly the moment it was recorded. But IDEAS aren't copyrightable, only the specific expression of the ideas.
 
Which brings me back to my original thoughts...many things done with public funding are public domain. Would this be true of a state university?
 
so your basically taking this power point presentation and re-making it for profit? just because its publicly funded (are you even sure?) doesn't mean its automatically public domain.
you should get permission before taking any other steps.
 
Thanks for your feedback...its what my gut said also, but just wanted to get the 'communities' thoughts.
 
MikeyP said:
Which brings me back to my original thoughts...many things done with public funding are public domain. Would this be true of a state university?
Click to expand...

Probably not ... that only applies to Federal public funding AFAK. It would be a good idea to consult an IP attorney since you're looking at a very specific a question, too specific for general internet discussion group's input to be very reliable.
 
Most universities look to monetize their IP as well so I would suugest getting clearance as well.

Michael
 
When I worked at the U of I Med Center all of our work was copyrighted. Assume that all work is origional and subject to the same protection.
 
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