Copyright and Names

h.r.ford

h.r.ford

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Renee
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Ok the title may be a bit misleading because I have 2 completely seperate questions but was too lazy to make up 2 different threads.

A little background - from my first paying gig last week I've booked 3 more (purely through word of mouth) but my particulars aren't cemented yet so hoping ya'll can help:

#1 - I am doing a "free" slideshow with each of my horsey portrait shoots (seems to be popular with the people I've talked to so far). Anyway I need to know about the music I use on it. Now I know if I was performing Vivaldi or Bethoven I'd be fine because there is no longer a copyright but if I want to put the London Orchestra performing Vivaldi on my slideshow am I braking copyright laws?? If so, is the best way not to put the slideshow to any music?

#2 - Names - this one is completely subjective but since my name (Heather Renee Ford) makes a crap name of a business I've come up with Tempo Photography. Searched Companies House and the internet and don't seem to come up with any others although I found one in Texas. Is that an ok name? Does anyone have a reason why this name should never ever be use?

OK that is it thanks in advance.

Renee
 
register the domain name of tempo photography if you want to.

Dont know anything about music, though this may help:
http://www.copyrightservice.co.uk/protect/p07_music_copyright

the problem with copyright in general is that you cant stop people who are shallow and lacking any imagination nicking your ideas. it happens in all types of business and the advent of the internet just makes it easier. Come up with a good idea and dont protect it somehow and it WILL get nicked.

/rant
 
#1. Short answer Yes. Long answer, yes, you're breaking copyright. Some people would have no bother about using the music, some would...it depends on your moral and legal conscience really. That said, you can use it you want, you just have to pay. Have a look at the Performing Rights Society for more info.

#2. Unfortunately matty is right. There's too many cheeky people out there. When I was deciding whether to get the domain askbod.com, I kept the name out of public eye because some b****r would end up registering it out of spite, and once they do, there's nothing you can do.

I've had a google for Tempo Photography, and there is one that hits the #1 spot, which as you say is in the US. So I don't see why it shouldn't be used over here. That said, on the spur of the moment, Tempus Photography generates less results ;) Just off the top of my head, may sound sucky to you though :)

Anyway, hope this helps :)
 
I hadn't even thought about people being spiteful... Guess I need to get my business hat on. I'm not breaking copyright yet! That is why I asked... Wish I was at all musically inclined. That being said I have some royalty free music so I assume I would be able to use that.
 
Quite possibly. However, royalty free just means you don't have to pay a royalty to use it, not necessarily that you have permission to do so, if that makes sense.
Good luck with it :thumbs: and kudos on being consciencious enough to worry about things like this, many people wouldn't bother.
 
But then there's always Tempo Photography (UK).

But of course if the name isn't registered in the UK it don't matter. A VERY large waterpark operator in Florida made that mistake. Guess who now owns the European registration for the name ;)
 
Renee, you would be breaking mechanical copyright unless the particular recording that you end up using was recorded over 50 years ago, if I remeber the Copyright Act correctly.

In other words, you are free to use Beethoven's or Tchaikowsky's music without paying royalties. However, a copyright also exists on recordings, called the 'mechanical' copyright, so to use any particular recording you have to pay royalties unless it's 50 years since the new year following the recording's original release. As Marcel rghtly points out, you can get in touch with the PRS and they should give you more details. I can't imagine any licence fee would be that great - it's not as if you're going to be showing slides at Wembley Stadium when Bob The Builder finally finishes his extended tour dates there, is it?
 
Catdaddy, that is what I thought but wanted to make sure. I think for now I will just go music free and if I get tons of complaints on it I will look into prices with the PRS.
 
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