Dan O’Day Reveals: “Why I Wrote This Book”

Not a week goes by without my receiving an urgent e-mail from someone at a radio station or production company, asking me to "settle an argument" regarding copyright laws.

Typically, the client (or the sales department) is insisting on using copyrighted music in a commercial. The producer thinks it's illegal, but everyone else keeps insisting "it's okay; everyone does it."

Finally I decided to create a single, easy-to-read e-book (PDF format) that answers all the questions you might have regarding copyright law as it affects the day-to-day operation of your broadcast station or production company.

Note: I realize you don't have time to read a dense, legalistic textbook. Although it answers all the copyright-related questions that come up in your radio station every day, the entire e-book numbers just 30 pages. No fluff, no filler. Just the information you need, at your fingertips whenever you need it.

But if you judge a book by the number of its pages rather than by the value of its information, please do not purchase this!

I began by interviewing a nationally known expert on copyright law — an attorney whose work has been cited repeatedly in arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.

After a brief review of what a "copyright" actually is, our expert addressed every conceivable permutation of copyright law questions — every issue that you've wondered about in the past or might face in the future.

For instance....

IS IT LEGAL TO.....

•  Air a commercial that uses a copyrighted song and/or
    performance?

•  Air a commercial that features a copyrighted song with your own
    original performance?

•  Air a commercial that uses a copyrighted song that you have
    rewritten to suit the advertiser?

•  Air a commercial that uses only an instrumental version of a
    copyrighted song?

•  Air a commercial for a musical performer’s local concert, using
    recorded examples of his/her music?
Hint: This is not covered by your BMI or ASCAP fees! There is a way to do this legally, but very few stations know how.

•  Air a TV commercial for your radio station, featuring some of the
    music your station plays?

•  Record a TV program’s theme music and play it on your
    airwaves?

•  Air a commercial for a nightclub that includes copyrighted music
    representing the types of music the club plays? (Even if the club
    itself pays for a license fee to play the music in the club?)

•  Take music that has been licensed by a national advertiser for a
    national campaign and use it to create a recorded commercial
    for a local affiliate or franchisee of that national advertiser?

•  Present a dramatic, on-air reading of a copyrighted book?

•  Use "drop-ins" or "wild tracks" recorded from TV programs?

•  Use "drop-ins" or "wild tracks" recorded from movies?

•  Broadcast something you’ve recorded from another TV or radio
    station (e.g., news report, news conference, portion of an
    interview, etc.)

•  Broadcast a sporting event highlight recorded from another
    broadcast station?

BUT WHAT ABOUT....

•  "Fair Use"?

•  "The Seven-Second Rule"?
Hint:  There's no such thing, and there never was! This Guide gives
you all the details!

•  "Using just a few bars....?"

•  Non-commercial stations?
Hint: The rules are identical for commercial and non-commercial
stations.

•  Non-profit advertisers?
Hint: The same rules apply.

•  The fees you pay to BMI and ASCAP? (No, they do not allow you
    to use copyrighted music in recorded commercials. This is
    explained fully and understandably.)

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN GET IN TROUBLE....

•  Even when using material that’s in the public domain?

•  The two kinds of rights you need to have acquired before airing a
    copyrighted piece?

•  If you’re a radio station that airs an "illegal" commercial...even if
    the client told you it’s okay to do so?

•  If you’re a radio station that airs an "illegal" commercial that was
    produced by another radio station?

•  If you’re a radio station that airs an "illegal" commercial that was
    produced by an ad agency or production company?

•  Even if "all the other stations in town do it!"

•  For using a copyrighted work as the basis for what commonly is
    known as a "song parody"? If it fits the legal definition of
    "parody," then it’s allowed. But simply taking a song and writing
    funny new lyrics to it (for example, to tie into a topical event)
    usually is not legal.

    (Does your morning show do lots of parodies? If so, are they
    legal? If they’re illegal and you distribute them on CDs, podcasts
    or other digital downloads — even when the proceeds go to
    charity — do you have any idea how many hundreds of
    thousands of dollars that can cost you if you’re caught?)

•  If you air an "illegal" commercial that was produced by another
    radio station? (For example, when the advertiser has that station
    give you a copy to air on your station.)

•  If you’re a radio station that airs an "illegal" commercial that was produced by the client?
Big Hint: "We didn’t know" is not a legal defense against copyright infringement!

Neither is, "But we were just following the client’s instructions!"

That’s because copyright law invokes what is known as "Strict Liability" — which this e-book will explain to you fully.

You Have The Right To Remain Ignorant.

I have priced this book so cheaply that any radio station can afford it. But if you'd rather continue to risk your station's license on hearsay and rumor, you're entitled to make that choice.

But remember, "I didn't know" or "Everyone else does it" or "Somebody told me it was okay" is not a viable defense in a court of law.

Q:  If your radio station, TV station, ad agency, production company and/or client is involved in the creation, production or airing of a production that violates copyright law, who is liable?

A:  All of you! (And if you’ve got a radio station that is part of a larger parent company, the parent company can be sued, too.

BONUS #1:

2-Page "Copyright Infringement" Memo for Your Staff

I've distilled the highlights into two pages, formatted for you to reproduce and post in your studio, sales office, etc.

But....How can you convince the client that what they're asking is illegal? Good question! That's why I created....

BONUS #2:

WHAT TO SAY TO THE CLIENT

The Ultimate, Non-Lawyer’s Guide To Copyright Infringement In Radio Commercials...And How To Avoid It also includes three pages designed especially to share with your clients:

THE DANGERS OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT:

A Special Report for Our Valued Clients

You'll be able to explain to your clients in plain English what is legal...and what isn't. I'll even tell you how to respond when the client says, "If you don't do this, I'll find another station that will!"

The Ultimate, Non-Lawyer’s Guide To Copyright Infringement In Radio Commercials...And How To Avoid It is a 30-page e-book (PDF format), available for immediate download.

Your book can be read (and printed) from any computer that has Acrobat Reader (Version 4.0 or higher).

A single copyright infringement can bankrupt your company. Do you really want to continue to take that chance?