legal and ethical information regarding the print product for my media OCR level 3

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 Intellectual property refers to any intellectual
creation, such as literary works, artistic works,
inventions, designs, symbols, names, images,
computer code, etc. Intellectual property law exists
in order to protect the creators and covers areas of
copyright, trademark law, and patents. Copyright is a
legal means of protecting an author's work. Any
original content published on the Web is protected
by copyright law.
Slander/libel Libel is an untrue statement about a living person or
existing institution that injures reputation by
defamation, that is, by exposing them to public
hatred, shame, disgrace or ridicule. Slander is
spoken defamation, but libel is the usual sort of
lawsuit filed against the media or those who use the
media to speak out.
Royalties A royalty is a payment made by one party, the
licensee or franchisee to another that owns a
particular asset, the licensor or franchisor for the
right to ongoing use of that asset.
Violence Violence is defined by the World Health Organization
as "the intentional use of physical force or power,
threatened or actual, against oneself, another
person, or against a group or community, which
either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting
in injury, death, psychological harm
Offensive language/behaviour/material Any material or action/ talk that could be considered
offensive to an audience
Public interest Public interest is a common concern among citizens
in the management and affairs of local, state, and
national government.

2. 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/
The BASCA is the
voice for music
writers. They
campaign in the UK,
Europe and
throughout the world
Gives support to
the band as writers
with legal and
ethical issues.
MPA
Music Publishers Association
http://www.mpaonline.org.uk
The MPA act on
behalf of music
publishers and
support music makers
in the UK.
Helps to safeguard
the interests of
members can help
with economic
interests regarding
publishing.
PRS
Performing Rights Society (who are
now linked with MCPS – The
Mechanical Copyright Protection
Society)
https://www.prsformusic.com/
The prs pay royalties
to members when
their work is
performed,
downloaded,
reproduced,
streamed, etc. the
also support with
influencing policy,
hosting awards and
events and investing
in technology help
protect music in the
digital age.
Helps to protect
music and collects
royalties for
members.
OFCOM
Office of Communications
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/
OFCOM are the
regulator for
communication
services e.g.
broadband, mobile,
radio etc.
They aim to protect
radio listeners from
harmful material and
help to provide quality
radio. The also help
Helping to provide
good radio for
listeners could help
my print product
through radio
coverage of my
artist.

3. the radio spectrum to
be used effectively.
PPL
Phonographic Performance Limited
http://www.ppluk.com/
PPL are teamed up
with PRS to make it
easier to obtain a
single music licence,
they help collect
royalties and create
PPL broadcast
licences for
broadcasters etc.
Helps obtain
royalties for record
companies and
performers.
BPI
British Phonographic Industry
https://www.bpi.co.uk/default.aspx
Represent the uks
recorded music
industry. They
Champion the
interests of their
members, accounting
for 85% of all music
sold in the UK thought
They help
represent the face
of the band thus
effecting my print
product
Songrite UK
Songright Copyright Office
http://www.songrite.co.uk/index.html
Copyright protection
of songs, music &
lyrics.
Protects assets of
members this could
include things to do
with my print
product
UK Music
(umbrella company linked with
many of the above)
http://www.ukmusic.org/about/
Represents collective
interests of recorded,
published and live
arms of the British
music industry.
This effects my
print product
though copyright,
representation and
anything else
covered by the
companies it is
linked with above.