Copyright+and+Audio

**A brief look at audio copyright from the producer/author out**

First, imagine you are someone with an audio idea. It can be music, poetry, a speech, a sermon, etc. The moment you commit your idea to a physical medium, that piece of audio has been copyrighted by you. This medium could be a compact disk, paper, an electronic file, cassette tape......anything that constitutes 'hard' data. Your friend who can state that you played them such and such song for their birthday is considered soft evidence and will not hold your copyright on that music.

Next, you are required to date the audio file. The easiest and best way to do this is to take a copy of all of your material, date each piece and mail it via registered post to yourself (11). Do not open the mail and you now own a piece of evidence that is usable in court, should someone else claim authorship of your music.

Your audio piece is now copyrighted for your lifetime plus 50 years in Canada. After that time, it becomes public domain and anyone can use it. Before the copyright term is over another user can use your song with your permission. They must pay you to do so, however.


 * Audio copyright in education**

The law regarding using copyrighted audio in an education setting is similar to using other copyrighted material. Audio material can be used for educational purposes only. An example of this is playing a song in class, such as 'I am a Rock' in a psychology class. That same song cannot be distributed to the students, however.