Copyright Basics and Fair Use for Filmmakers

Copyright Basics and Fair Use is the first of two workshops on copyright and licensing that you can take together, or separately. In this first class we explore the history of intellectual property and specifically copyright law, as a starting point to understand license terms, the public domain, and fair use. When do you need to get permission, and pay licensing fees? Are there exceptions to copyright protection? Learn when text, image and sound can be used free of charge in your documentary film, and when it can’t. This workshop will explain the factors and prepare you for a potential claim. As an informal resource for independent filmmakers, this workshop is not a substitute for legal counsel. For legal advice specific to your needs, we encourage you to seek advice from an attorney. The second workshop “Licensing of Music, Images and Footage: A workshop for Filmmakers” is scheduled for April 21, 7pm.

About the instructor: H. Paul Moon
H. Paul Moon is a filmmaker, professor and attorney based in New York City and Washington, D.C. whose work concentrates on the performing arts. He teaches editing, and manages a network of online communities at focuspulling.com and docofilm.com that keep pace with new camera technologies and documentary news. Moon’s first feature, an acclaimed and award-winning documentary about the life and music of American composer Samuel Barber, premiered on PBS, and he is currently finishing another documentary feature about Western poetry.