My original composition "Aeolian King" has taken an interesting road trip - I wrote it for my piano students as a piece to improvise on the white keys, and published it in my 1991 book "The Aspiring Jazz Pianist". I was also paid for the use of my tune for an exercise video called, "Stretching For Seniors" by Ann Smith. My husband overheard my tune on a radio ad while he was tuning one of my student's pianos in his mobile home. My student said, "Hey, come listen! This sounds just like Debbie's tune"! I asked a lawyer-in-training friend to get money for the use without permission (he got me $500). I've seen 2-3 posters on YouTube playing my tune without permission and asked them to either credit me as composer or take down their videos. But the latest, weirdest thing about Aeolian King is whenever I use the piece in my instructional music videos I get a Copyright Claim from YouTube saying I can't monetize the video because someone else own's the rights (a person named Debbie Denke). I've tried to reach out to YouTube to tell them I'm one and the same person, but they just don't get it. (YouTube said I could take myself to court if I wanted)- haha.
I once wrote an in depth business plan for a brand new community project that a broadcast station (well, the "VP of Marketing") claimed as theirs. Even the larger national station wanted in on the idea behind the business plan and wanted to know the brains behind it. Needless to say, that was a redefining moment (or tipping point) of going all-in with my own business. What did I do about it, you ask? I reached out to those select individuals leading the local and national station and secured recognition for it - then I moved forward with my life. That project was simply one of many yet to come. ;-p My future is bright, and well, as for the other person, let's just say, years later and he's probably still trying to wrap his head around how I did what I did and do what I do!
"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass."
—
Maya Angelou
“You will often feel as if you don’t fit, but it has never been your destiny to fit in. You were born to stand out.” — Melene Rossouw
Yes. A friend told me she thought it nice of me to donate my article to a local nonprofit, only I didn't. It was an unintentional copyright violation. I called the nonprofit who told me the regional magazine that published my story had allowed him permission to use it. I'd never signed anything by the magazine giving permission to use my article. The nonprofit and told him it was my copyright. However, because I believed in its cause, I told him he could use it. He must add a statement saying: " This article is used by permission by the author." I also told him he couldn't sell the article without paying me. If the article had been sold by the magazine to anyone else, I would've tried to work it out without a lawyer, but if they wouldn't cooperate, I would've taken them to small claims court. As writers, we work hard on our stories and deserve to be paid for our work. I take copyright ownership seriously. Many, many people use articles without permission, especially on line, without asking permission. It's against the law!
Copyrights are issued by the Federal Government Office of Copyright. Any intellectual property you create should be registered, writing, music choreography…. It can be done on line and costs $35 per item. US Courts recently ruled you must be registered to be protected. You can register a draft and update later.
I’ve had copyrighted images used without permission and thanks to a good contract I was able to collect 3xs the normal fee and was paid close to $5500 and the person who used it was fired!
Yes, I did a painted chair for a town festival. I did a movie-themed. The same Summer the town had a film festival and they selected my chair to put on a billboard to advertise the festival. I am local I didn't care until................the chair became so iconic to the film festival that at the event that honored the chairs in town and awarded ribbons that the organizer was used to "my chair" as his logo that he went up and accepted my art award. I invited my family to the event because I was so proud. I was so hurt and pissed. I saw the organizer walk down the row after accepting my ribbon. It was the point. It was a long time ago but it was a "rub". My advice is to have thick skin....remember that coping is supposed to be a form of flattery?
Sort of. We've pitched an idea to a client who then turned us down, but then used the concept on their own! Protect your ideas, folks! Even if just pitching, make them sign a contract to not take and run with your ideas, especially if they didn't pay you for them.
I am a voicover talent and am the original Text to speech voice of TikTok. Used without my permission. I found out when a colleague sent me a video using my voice. I worked with a lawyer to resolve this but the most important message of doing this was me standing up for what's right.
Answers (1-10)
My original composition "Aeolian King" has taken an interesting road trip - I wrote it for my piano students as a piece to improvise on the white keys, and published it in my 1991 book "The Aspiring Jazz Pianist". I was also paid for the use of my tune for an exercise video called, "Stretching For Seniors" by Ann Smith. My husband overheard my tune on a radio ad while he was tuning one of my student's pianos in his mobile home. My student said, "Hey, come listen! This sounds just like Debbie's tune"! I asked a lawyer-in-training friend to get money for the use without permission (he got me $500). I've seen 2-3 posters on YouTube playing my tune without permission and asked them to either credit me as composer or take down their videos. But the latest, weirdest thing about Aeolian King is whenever I use the piece in my instructional music videos I get a Copyright Claim from YouTube saying I can't monetize the video because someone else own's the rights (a person named Debbie Denke). I've tried to reach out to YouTube to tell them I'm one and the same person, but they just don't get it. (YouTube said I could take myself to court if I wanted)- haha.
Indeed... there isn’t much to do about it. I just trust God and remain ‘at peace’ He can fix all!!
I once wrote an in depth business plan for a brand new community project that a broadcast station (well, the "VP of Marketing") claimed as theirs. Even the larger national station wanted in on the idea behind the business plan and wanted to know the brains behind it. Needless to say, that was a redefining moment (or tipping point) of going all-in with my own business. What did I do about it, you ask? I reached out to those select individuals leading the local and national station and secured recognition for it - then I moved forward with my life. That project was simply one of many yet to come. ;-p My future is bright, and well, as for the other person, let's just say, years later and he's probably still trying to wrap his head around how I did what I did and do what I do!
"I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick ass." — Maya Angelou
“You will often feel as if you don’t fit, but it has never been your destiny to fit in. You were born to stand out.” — Melene Rossouw
Yes. A friend told me she thought it nice of me to donate my article to a local nonprofit, only I didn't. It was an unintentional copyright violation. I called the nonprofit who told me the regional magazine that published my story had allowed him permission to use it. I'd never signed anything by the magazine giving permission to use my article. The nonprofit and told him it was my copyright. However, because I believed in its cause, I told him he could use it. He must add a statement saying: " This article is used by permission by the author." I also told him he couldn't sell the article without paying me. If the article had been sold by the magazine to anyone else, I would've tried to work it out without a lawyer, but if they wouldn't cooperate, I would've taken them to small claims court. As writers, we work hard on our stories and deserve to be paid for our work. I take copyright ownership seriously. Many, many people use articles without permission, especially on line, without asking permission. It's against the law!
Copyrights are issued by the Federal Government Office of Copyright. Any intellectual property you create should be registered, writing, music choreography…. It can be done on line and costs $35 per item. US Courts recently ruled you must be registered to be protected. You can register a draft and update later.
I’ve had copyrighted images used without permission and thanks to a good contract I was able to collect 3xs the normal fee and was paid close to $5500 and the person who used it was fired!
Yes, I did a painted chair for a town festival. I did a movie-themed. The same Summer the town had a film festival and they selected my chair to put on a billboard to advertise the festival. I am local I didn't care until................the chair became so iconic to the film festival that at the event that honored the chairs in town and awarded ribbons that the organizer was used to "my chair" as his logo that he went up and accepted my art award. I invited my family to the event because I was so proud. I was so hurt and pissed. I saw the organizer walk down the row after accepting my ribbon. It was the point. It was a long time ago but it was a "rub". My advice is to have thick skin....remember that coping is supposed to be a form of flattery?
Sort of. We've pitched an idea to a client who then turned us down, but then used the concept on their own! Protect your ideas, folks! Even if just pitching, make them sign a contract to not take and run with your ideas, especially if they didn't pay you for them.
I am a voicover talent and am the original Text to speech voice of TikTok. Used without my permission. I found out when a colleague sent me a video using my voice. I worked with a lawyer to resolve this but the most important message of doing this was me standing up for what's right.
Yes. A scene that I wrote for WKRP on spec ended up in an episode of Laverne and Shirley.