Congress Allows Educators to Transmit Copyrighted Works over Internet

January 29, 2003

In This Newsletter:

Mark Litwak to Lecture at University of British Columbia Feb. 6-8

Mark Litwak will be teaching two of his most popular day-and-a-half courses at the University of British Columbia in February.
"Self-defense for Writers & Filmmakers" will be held February 6-7. This seminar explains how writers and filmmakers can prevent problems from arising by properly securing underlying rights and by encouraging the other party to live up to agreements by adding performance milestones, default penalties and arbitration clauses. Participants will also learn what remedies are available to enforce their rights in the event of a dispute.
"Financing and Distributing Independent Features" will be held February 7-8. This seminar explores how independent films are financed and distributed. The seminar includes an extensive handout with a long-form distribution contract, checklists and other materials useful in preparing to raise cash and distribute your film.
For more information and online registration, click here:http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/newsletter/film/

Congress Allows Educators to Transmit Copyrighted Works over Internet

While the United States has some of the most protective copyright laws in the world, certain groups are exempt from licensing copyrighted material. Among these are non-profit educators who, since 1976, have been free to perform copyrighted works in classrooms and transmit copyrighted nondramatic literary and musical works to classrooms via closed-circuit television without copyright licenses.

Now, thanks to a recent amendment by Congress, non-profit educators can use copyrighted works of almost any kind in distance education courses conducted over the Internet. The transmission can be made to anywhere the enrolled student is, so long as the transmission is part of the equivalent of an in-class discussion.
The amendment, known as the TEACH Act, allows non-profit instructors to transmit "reasonable and limited portions" of movies and music in addition to works previously allowed for license-free use under the 1976 Copyright Act.

The TEACH Act does not change the fair use doctrine. To prevent abuse, the Act has two limitations: only accredited non-profit educational institutions may receive the exemption and "secure tests" such as the SAT and works "primarily" used in Internet instruction must still be licensed.

Hollywood.com to Host 2-day Pitch & Networking Conference
Hollywood.com, founder of the Hollywood Film Festival, will host a pitch and networking conference on March 1 & 2, 2003 called "Sell Your Story to Hollywood Buyers."
Registration for "Sell Your Story to Hollywood Buyers" is $195 by January 31, $245 after.For more information and to register, call 310-288-1882 or click here:http://www.hollywoodawards.com/writing/index3.html