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 An exclusive legal right, given to the owner
for a fixed amount of time as they
effectively own it. They can use it for print,
publish, perform, music, film etc. If did not
get my images and music copyrighted,
other people/businesses could use them
and make a profit without me being able to
stop it.
Slander/libel The action or crime of making a false
spoken statement harming to a person's
reputation, specifically in the media. This
could affect the band as someone could
misinterpret the meaning of a slogan, name
or image related to band and take offense
to it, which may not have been the original
intent.
Royalties A sum paid to a person/group for the use of
an image, composition etc. or to an author
or composer for each copy of a book sold
or for each public performance of a work.
This could affect me if I were to use
someone else’s art on my CD cover.
Violence Behaviour involving physical force used in
the intent of harming, damaging or killing
something or someone. If I were to use
someone deemed too outrageous in terms
of violence it may affect my bands
image/reputation.
Offensive language/behaviour/material Something considered offensive to a large
group of people. This, for example, could
be racism or sexism. This like violence,
could affect the image of my band if we
were to do something controversial or
2. offensive in terms of language, behaviour or
material.
Public interest Public interest is a common concern among
citizens in the management and affairs of
government and state. The welfare of the
public must be considered as it may raise
concern in the media, particularly in the
case of offensive language, behaviour,
material, violence etc.
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/
BASCA is one of the
largest music
associations in Europe
for music writers and its
purpose is to support,
protect and campaign in
the interests of the song
writers.
They will protect my
band from people
trying to copyright by
music/lyrics and
prevent them from
doing so.
MPA
Music Publishers Association
http://www.mpaonline.org.uk
This is a non-profit
organisation which
supports music
publishers in the UK
It helps with the
distribution of
albums, which helps
my band as it gets
their name out in the
public.
PRS
Performing Rights Society (who are
now linked with MCPS – The
Mechanical Copyright Protection
Society)
https://www.prsformusic.com/
It undertakes collective
rights management for
musical works on behalf
of the musical artists.
They help my band
as they collect the
money owed to my
band if anyone uses
my copyrighted
material and give the
band their royalties
when due.
OFCOM
Office of Communications
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/
The UK government-
approved regulatory and
competition authority for
the broadcasting,
telecommunications and
They ensure that
radio stations do not
broadcast music
illegally, making sure
they cannot play my
3. postal industries of the
UK.
band’s music without
permission.
PPL
Phonographic Performance Limited
http://www.ppluk.com/
It is a UK-based music
licensing company and
performance rights
organisation
The PPL help my
band as they make
sure people who
want to, for example,
perform covers of the
band’s songs have
permission and legal
rights to do so.
BPI
British Phonographic Industry
https://www.bpi.co.uk/default.aspx
It has represents the
interests of British
record companies and
fights copyright
infringement.
This has a good
impact for the band
as it prevents others
from using my
copyrighted material
and either making a
profit and/or claiming
it as their own work
Songrite UK
Songright Copyright Office
http://www.songrite.co.uk/index.html
Songrite UK represent
music artists to make
sure their rights to
economic reward is
enforced for their
creative work.
My band can be
registered with the
company which will
represent me.
UK Music
(umbrella company linked with many of
the above)
http://www.ukmusic.org/about/
UK Music is a
campaigning and
lobbying group, which
represents every part of
the UK recorded and
live music industry.
They, like the other
companies above,
will represent my
band to protect their
interests.
