Date: Fri, 9 Oct 98 22:48:54 PDT
Message-Id: <9810100548.AA02mde@astrid.upland.ca.us>
Message-Id: <271253d0.u7t150e.d7a9a-ercil@astrid.upland.ca.us>
In-Reply-To: <Pine.PMDF.3.95.981009130109.549679703A-100000@WCUVAX1.WCU.EDU>
	     (from uunet!wcuvax1.wcu.edu!mn13189)
	     (at Fri, 09 Oct 1998 13:06:17 -0500 (EST))
From: ercil@astrid.upland.ca.us (E. Howard-Wroth)
To: uunet!wcuvax1.wcu.edu!mn13189@uunet.uu.net
Cc: uunet!pbm.com!minstrel@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Re: minstrel: filk, theft, taste and other points of argument
Sender: owner-minstrel@rt.com
Precedence: bulk

> > The law says you've violated his copyright, even if you don't think
> > you're taking bread from his mouth. BTW, performing a song at an SCA
> > event which charges admission probably means that, even though you
> > don't get paid, you're going to fall under the more draconian
> > provisions of the law. 
snip...> 
snip...


> Legally, yes, you are right.  I could be in trouble.  Although I doubt
> seriousyl Phil would *find out* much less mind that I was singing a song
> similar to his around a campfire with 7 or 8 folks listening.  

I think though, that one important point here is what Adelaide mentionned
about PHIL being in trouble -- not you -- and this is a case in point not
an attack remember -- lots of ears and eyes watch the more accomplished bards
underwhich you qualify ---    THE point being that if Phil doesn't come 
after you for copyright IF someone else does it and he pursues them for a 
serious violation -- his failure to come after you sets a precedent whereupon
he can LOSE the rights to his song.  It isn't just the royalties, it is also
losing his children, his art, his music.   Give him a call and tell him you
like doing this piece, you want to continue, but you also want to protect his
rights.  Copyright is a bitch.  But the dishonest merchants of the world force
the goodhearted to protect themselves against others of good will and good intention.

(did I get the idea Adelaide?)

Astridhr

(and the Girl Scouts have no songbooks or tapes, because of Ascap and their
cronies)  (original works yes, fun campfire songs of the past... pass them
on and ASCAP will sue GSUSA) no joke.

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