1. Learning outcome 2: Tasks D and E
Note from the exam board
When considering legal and ethical issues candidates should refer to the code of practice for
the regulatory body, which affects the production of print media (in our case – the music
industry).
Work could be evidenced in written format, letters to relevant bodies or online requests
applying for copyright permission. It is important that learners relate the relevant legal and
ethical issue to the print product they are producing, for instance when considering the
photos/images and language for inclusion in a print product such as a magazine etc.
Students aiming for merit or distinction would present all of their research in a more
creative manner such as prezi, powtoom, emaze etc and use images, videos and
hyperlinks to enhance their work.
D - Legal and Ethical Considerations
Find out/define the below terms and tell us how this might have an impact on your
print products.
Definition How this effects
my print product?
Copyright/intellectual property rights
“The exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for
a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film, or record
literary, artistic, or musical material.”
https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/copyright
My photos would
be under
copyright,
meaning if
anyone wanted to
use them they
would have to
ask for
permission first
from me.
Slander/libel
Libel is a written or published statement that harms your
reputation or your livelihood. Slander is essentially spoken
libel, statements that harm a person’s reputation or livelihood.
I could take
someone to court
who slanders my
work. I also can’t
include any form
of slander in my
album cover.
Royalties
“Compensation for the use of property, usually copyrighted
works, patented inventions, or natural resources. Expressed
as a percentage of receipts from using the property or as a
payment for each unit produced.”
https://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/royalties
If somebody
asked to use my
photos, and I
agree to it, they
would be required
to pay a royalty
fee.
Violence
“The depiction or dissemination of violent or other explicit
material or images in a manner that is considered harmful to
viewers through media sources such as TV, radio, music, film,
literature, comic books and video games.”
None of my
photos can
include major
depictions of
blood, suffering,
2. https://www.slideshare.net/rkCity007/media-violence-
12946316
or violence in
general. If it does,
there must be a
warning on the
poster regarding
it.
Offensive language/behaviour/material
“The rules in the Broadcasting Code (the Code) seek to
ensure, in a manner that best guarantees an appropriate level
of freedom of expression, that members of the public, and in
particular under-eighteens, are adequately protected from the
broadcast of harmful and/or offensive material, including
potentially offensive language. In providing this protection, the
Code requires that broadcasters apply generally accepted
standards to the content of television and radio services.”
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/27260/offensive-
lang.pdf
No swear words,
rude gestures or
nudity in any of
my photographs,
especially since
they’re going
towards the
album and poster
which will be
distributed to the
public.
Public interest
“The welfare of the public as compared to the welfare of a
private individual or company. … The government will only let
the public know what is in the publics’ best interest. It won’t
release information that could cause riots and upheaval in the
nation.” http://thelawdictionary.org/public-interest/
My album cover
and photos will
need to be
friendly and okay
for the public to
see, otherwise it
probably wouldn’t
be released.
E - Regulatory Bodies in the Music Industry
The music industry is mostly a self-regulated organisation. But just as any other
industry it must have regulators to protect all the people involved in the production
and realisation of a song, cd, a concert etc (copyright, trade, music representation).
The most important are listed below. Although all these companies have different
aims the vision is the same, keep the music industry alive. However, the fact that
technology is evolving so fast, makes it even harder for them to protect every single
detail.
Research the following organisations and find out what they aim to do. Think
about how their regulations would impact on your print work.
Who are they and
what do they do?
What impact this
organisation would
have on my print
product?
BASCA
British Academy of Songwriters,
Composers and Authors
https://basca.org.uk/home/
One of the largest
professional
associations for music
writers in Europe.
Supports, protects
and campaigns for the
3. interests of
songwriters, lyricists
and composers.
MPA
Music Publishers Association
http://www.mpaonline.org.uk
The oldest music
trade organisation in
the US. Exists to
support artists through
reinforcing the
copyright laws of their
music.
They would make
sure anyone who
printed free lyrics or
music sheets
without any
licensing from my
artist (or the record
label she’s signed
to) was fined and
removed.
PRS
Performing Rights Society (who are
now linked with MCPS – The
Mechanical Copyright Protection
Society)
https://www.prsformusic.com/
The UK leading
collection society.
Collects royalties on
behalf of a songwriter,
composer and/or
music publisher,
whenever their music
is played or performed
publicly.
The PRS would
collect royalties for
my artist when her
music was played
or performed in
public.
OFCOM
Office of Communications
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/
Represents the
interests of citizens
and consumers by
promotion competition
and protecting the
public from harmful
and/or offensive
material.
If something were
harmful or offensive
on my album cover
or poster, this
company would
prevent it from
going to the public.
PPL
Phonographic Performance Limited
http://www.ppluk.com/
Issues licenses to
many business and
organisations in the
UK who play recorded
music and/or music
videos to the public
(bars, nightclubs,
shops, schools, gyms,
etc.)
This company
would allow for
places where they
play music/music
videos to play my
artist’s music.
BPI
British Phonographic Industry
https://www.bpi.co.uk/default.aspx
Represents the UK’s
music industry and
artists. Organises the
annual BRIT Awards
and Hyundai Mercury
Prize.
They would provide
my artist with
additional support
because they would
be a new UK artist.
Songrite UK
Songright Copyright Office
http://www.songrite.co.uk/index.html
Offers a reliable
copyright registration
service to artists and
composers wanting to
My artist could
apply for a
copyright
registration service
to protect her work.
4. protect the copyrights
of their works.
UK Music
(umbrella company linked with
many of the above)
http://www.ukmusic.org/about/
Promotes the
interests of record
labels and music
publishers (both major
and independent
ones), as well as
songwriters,
musicians, promoters,
producers and many
others.
