Video QuickTips

Last time I pointed you to an online program that will help you create your own music. Programs like that and Sony’s Acid, PG Music’s Band in a Box and others are really the easiest way to make sure you have original legal music for your videos.

Sometimes though there is just that one piece of music you have heard that you think is perfect. None of us want to break the law, but how do you know if something is covered by copyright or if it’s public domain? I have found these sites useful for a little education…

http://www.benedict.com/Info/Law/Notice.aspx
This one from the Duke Law School is fun. http://www.law.duke.edu/cspd/comics/zoomcomic.html

This site offers an neat tool to help you determine public domain http://librarycopyright.net/digitalslider/ and this one gives an easy to read chart. http://www.unc.edu/~unclng/public-d.htm

Then there is the situation with Creative Commons, which many new independent artists are using to license their music. Many are allowing you to use it in the “share and share alike” vein, others are reserving all rights, still others will let you use it if you give attribution. There are various combinations. You can learn more at http://www.creativecommons.org