Moral dilemmas with school project!

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McatholicN

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I am doing a project for school (high school) that seriously needs to be done with limited time! This doesn’t bode all that well with scrupulousity, you see.

I’m mostly worried about copyright laws and such. It was a little simpler before when all I had to do was a paper; then it was just cite sources (which still is a big problem). I don’t really know how I’m supposed to cite it.

But with this, I’m doing a documentary. That means I’ll have to worry about music, video clips, pictures, terms and conditions of the video camera and video software, etc.

Especially when violating copyright laws are mortal sin (aren’t they?) :eek:

Help is greatly appreciated!
 
Make sure you understand what copyright law actually says. This should be reasonable simple to do - your local library or even your school library probably has a summary statement that they provide to the students or to the general public, to let them know what and how much they can copy in each different kind of media, and for what purpose.

Typically, you can quote up to 10% of a work, for educational purposes, without requesting permission. If you want to quote more than that, give yourself lots of time to request and receive written permission. When citing the work, simply write “with permission” next to the citation, and keep copies of the written permission, in case you are challenged.

You should also have been given a booklet at the beginning of the school year or at the beginning of the semester that shows the correct way to make citations from each different kind of media, and for each different kind of presentation.

If you lost it or didn’t receive it, there will be a copy at your school library that you can consult.

When in doubt, create your own original material. 🙂
 
jmcrae said:
Make sure you understand what copyright law actually says. This should be reasonable simple to do - your local library or even your school library probably has a summary statement that they provide to the students or to the general public, to let them know what and how much they can copy in each different kind of media, and for what purpose.

Typically, you can quote up to 10% of a work, for educational purposes, without requesting permission. If you want to quote more than that, give yourself lots of time to request and receive written permission. When citing the work, simply write “with permission” next to the citation, and keep copies of the written permission, in case you are challenged.

You should also have been given a booklet at the beginning of the school year or at the beginning of the semester that shows the correct way to make citations from each different kind of media, and for each different kind of presentation.

If you lost it or didn’t receive it, there will be a copy at your school library that you can consult.

When in doubt, create your own original material. 🙂
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But in my case, it’s mostly facts. It’s not as much opinions, philosophies, etc.

I’m also having trouble with the Terms and Conditions of the camcorder and editing software and using music (especially since some may be Hindu music) and video clips.
 
You should talk with your teacher as to what is allowed for you to do…or not do

so as not to violate copyright
 
McatholicN said:
But in my case, it’s mostly facts. It’s not as much opinions, philosophies, etc.
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You still need to acknowledge your sources.
I’m also having trouble with the Terms and Conditions of the camcorder and editing software and using music (especially since some may be Hindu music) and video clips.
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I’m not sure what you mean, here. I don’t know what is meant by “Terms and Conditions” of the camcorder. Surely you are recording your own original material on your camcorder. :confused:

Be sure to get model releases from any person whom you videotape, of course.

With regard to materials created by other people, get their permission to use them if you are using more than 10% of the content of any particular video or song.
 
Bookcat said:
You should talk with your teacher as to what is allowed for you to do…or not do

so as not to violate copyright
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The problem is my teacher was saying that you can use any song you want as long as you cite it, which I believe is violation of copyright. I don’t know how much I can trust my teacher on that.
jmcrae said:
You still need to acknowledge your sources.
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I have no problem putting things in a bibliography, but having a documentary filled with citations, footnotes, etc. is no good. Must I acknowledge what pieces of information I got from where?
jmcrae said:
I’m not sure what you mean, here. I don’t know what is meant by “Terms and Conditions” of the camcorder. Surely you are recording your own original material on your camcorder. :confused:
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It seemed to be saying that I can’t show it to anyone else or post anything online (which I may need to do). It also said it can only be for personal use, which I’m not sure this is.
jmcrae said:
Be sure to get model releases from any person whom you videotape, of course.

With regard to materials created by other people, get their permission to use them if you are using more than 10% of the content of any particular video or song.
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Are you completely sure about the 10% rule?
 
McatholicN said:
The problem is my teacher was saying that you can use any song you want as long as you cite it, which I believe is violation of copyright. I don’t know how much I can trust my teacher on that.
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Ask permission from the person who performed the song - that way, you’re covered. Tell them what it’s for. Most people are fine with letting students use their stuff in an educational setting.
I have no problem putting things in a bibliography, but having a documentary filled with citations, footnotes, etc. is no good. Must I acknowledge what pieces of information I got from where?
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Keep everything in the bibliography, and submit the bibliography with the project. I am not suggesting that you interrupt your presentation every two seconds to pop up a citation or footnote - that would become annoying. 🙂
It seemed to be saying that I can’t show it to anyone else or post anything online (which I may need to do). It also said it can only be for personal use, which I’m not sure this is.
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That makes no sense whatsoever. What would be the point of having a camcorder, if you aren’t allowed to show your films after you make them? :confused:
Are you completely sure about the 10% rule?
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No. Check with your librarian for the exact regulations in your area. Around here, 10% is okay - but that’s only for here.
 
The whole point of those laws is to give the originators of the material their financial due. So the usual mitigating factor is: Are you personally or someone who has possession of your work going to make money from it and not pay the people whose work it contains? If only your teacher and classmates are to see it, and you don’t charge them, you are very likely ok. If you show it at a theater for admission, and it has a Gaga song in it, you are trespassing on her rights, e.g. If you give it to someone who thinks it’s way cool and they broadcast ti or make money from it, again there is a question of infringement. but for a one-shot deal? Very likely OK.
 
I don’t think violating copyright is a mortal sin. Its case to case. If you ripped a DVD of software and sold it in the blackmarket, then yes it is. You’ve deprived a lot of people rightful income to their hard work. But using a song on a school project? Probably not.
 
McatholicN said:
I am doing a project for school (high school) that seriously needs to be done with limited time! This doesn’t bode all that well with scrupulousity, you see.

I’m mostly worried about copyright laws and such. It was a little simpler before when all I had to do was a paper; then it was just cite sources (which still is a big problem). I don’t really know how I’m supposed to cite it.

But with this, I’m doing a documentary. That means I’ll have to worry about music, video clips, pictures, terms and conditions of the video camera and video software, etc.

Especially when violating copyright laws are mortal sin (aren’t they?) :eek:

Help is greatly appreciated!
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Dude, you’re not going to go to hell for doing a project and not citing something correctly or violating a copyright law. Really, you’re not. If you could go to hell for that, then almost everyone who ever posted anything on YouTube would be going to hell. Or anyone who EVER video taped ANYTHING would be going to hell.

“Especially when violating copyright laws are mortal sin (aren’t they?) :eek:”
  1. No, I don’t think that’s a mortal sin.
  2. In my opinion, if it is a veinal sin, it would be when only if you made money off of it. For instance a pirated DVD that you sold.
So just relax man. Do your project and stop worrying about if this is a sin and that’s a sin. It seems like it’s REALLY starting to affect your everyday life, which is not good. 😦
 
McatholicN said:
I am doing a project for school (high school) that seriously needs to be done with limited time! This doesn’t bode all that well with scrupulousity, you see.

I’m mostly worried about copyright laws and such. It was a little simpler before when all I had to do was a paper; then it was just cite sources (which still is a big problem). I don’t really know how I’m supposed to cite it.

But with this, I’m doing a documentary. That means I’ll have to worry about music, video clips, pictures, terms and conditions of the video camera and video software, etc.

Especially when violating copyright laws are mortal sin (aren’t they?) :eek:

Help is greatly appreciated!
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Whoa, slow down. There’s no way it’s a mortal sin if you’re worrying this much about it- are you really maliciously not citing your sources? 😃 It’s ok. Here’s a source I find helpful: owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/. They list nearly every type of source, and give general guidelines if you have something really obscure. Have you discussed citations in class? It’s not really about copyright, you know. It’s about following the chain of ideas. Your bibliography shows that you aren’t the originator of the chain, is all. This is really important in professional settings, which is why they have you start practicing so early. For my students, a good faith effort at citing is enough to keep them out of plagiarism-land. Hope that helps.
 
You also might look for things licensed under a creative common license. They will almost always allow you to use them for whatever, especially when you aren’t making money off of it. You can go here for cc music.
 
Don’t worry, it’s not a mortal sin.

Red about fair use laws
 
jmcrae said:
Like I said - ask permission for any non-original material being used in the presentation. That way, you’re covered. 🙂

Most people are fine with their work being used in an educational setting. Anybody that’s not, just move on to your next choice.
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How am I supposed to ask people? I’m sure they have better things to do than read emails all day, right?

I just want to find out how to do fair use.
 
Is this true?
utsystem.edu:
Copyright does not protect, this Policy does not apply to, and anyone may freely use*:

Works that lack originality
logical, comprehensive compilations (like the phone book)
unoriginal reprints of public domain works
Works in the public domain
Freeware (not shareware, but really, expressly, available free of restrictions-ware – this may be protected by law, but the author has chosen to make it available without any restrictions)
US Government works
Facts
Ideas, processes, methods, and systems described in copyrighted works
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This wouldn’t apply to movie clips or pictures, would it?
 
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