Legal and ethical report

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.
How this effects my print product?
Copyright/intellectual property rights Could sued if use someone else’s
image
Slander/libel Using images or text to ruin someone’s
reputation
Royalties Making sure images from someone else
that are used they get their fair share
Violence If violence is shown then some little kid
might want to copy it and actually hurt
themselves
Offensive language/behaviour/material This might make little kids think that this
behaviour is fine
Public interest Maintain the welfare don’t use topics
that are controversial
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.

2. 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/
We campaign in the UK,
Europe and throughout the
world. So that BASCA may
continue to do this, it is
important that we can
count the best song writing
and composing talent
amongst our members.
MPA
Music Publishers Association
http://www.mpaonline.org.uk
The MPA represents the
full range of the UK’s
music publishing sector. It
acts on behalf of 240
members ranging from the
UK’s largest and most
established music
publishers to independents
and start-ups. These
companies are the engine
room of British music, they
support our music makers
and drive an extraordinary
cultural and economic
success story.
PRS
Performing Rights Society (who are
now linked with MCPS – The
Mechanical Copyright Protection
Society)
https://www.prsformusic.com/
We pay royalties to our
members when their
work is performed,
broadcast, streamed,
downloaded, reproduced,
played in public or used
in film and TV. We
support them by
influencing policy,
supporting and hosting
awards and events, and
investing in new
technology to ensure
we’re fit for the digital
music age.
OFCOM
Office of Communications
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/
We help to make sure
people don’t get scammed
and are protected from
bad practices. This is
particularly important for
vulnerable or older people.
PPL
Phonographic Performance Limited
http://www.ppluk.com/
Licenses recorded music
played in public or
broadcast on the radio or
TV and then distributes the
fees to its performer and
record company members.
PPL does not retain a
profit for its services.

3. BPI
British Phonographic Industry
https://www.bpi.co.uk/default.aspx
BPI represents the UK’s
recorded music industry,
which is one of the most
exciting and thriving music
sectors in the world. British
artists account for one in
eight albums purchased by
fans around the globe.
Songrite UK
Songright Copyright Office
http://www.songrite.co.uk/index.html
This copyright service is
used by both professional
and aspiring
songwriters and
composers to register and
securely store copies of
their original songs, music
and lyrics. (Songwriters
and composers deposit
copies of their work as
legal evidence and proof
of copyright ownership)
UK Music
(umbrella company linked with
many of the above)
http://www.ukmusic.org/about/
Represent the collective
interests of the recorded,
published and live arms of
the British music industry.