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creative works

ubiquitous format shifting - Why just sound?

So the new copyright act says we're allowed to "format shift" sound -- but only sound.
We're not allowed to format shift video, or images, or text.

from the MED FAQ:

Why is there a format shifting provision and why is it limited to sound recordings?

The new format shifting provision responds to the concern that people want to transfer music they have legitimately bought onto different devices to take advantage of new technology. It also recognises this has been common practice for a long time.

The markets for audio visual works and music are evolving, they are different. There are numerous business models for audiovisual works that do not apply to music. Theatrical release, commercial rental (both physical and online models), free-to-air TV and pay TV do not have counterparts of any significant extent for music. It is also unlikely that consumption of audio visual works "on the move" using mp3 players and the like will ever be as ubiquitous as for music. It is not, therefore, possible to simply apply the conclusions reached about music to audio visual works.

the argument seems to be that something needs to be "ubiquitous", otherwise we'll make it illegal. (It also seems strange to say that people don't want to consume audio visual works on the move - have they never been on a long haul flight?)

The whole document ignores other forms that creative works take.

<3 Douglas Lilburn; <3 New Zealand; hate USA free trade agreement

douglas lilburn 1915 - 2001, was a quintessential New Zealand composer - and he was commisioned to write the Aotearoa overture to celebrate 100 years of New Zealand as a nation. (1940)

Typical of Lilburn's early work, the overture features idiomatic writing for winds, especially flutes, and vigorous dynamic contrasts. It is genuinely beautiful, and descriptive of our beautiful land.

However, the overture cannot be performed (or shared) without permission, because it is still under copyright. I'd love to see his piece of cultural heritage back into public domain.

This will not happen until 50 years after the artist's death - so that means 2051. That's is soooooo far away.

New Zealand is in talks with the USA over a Free Trade Agreement. We're potentially going to agree to change copyright to be 70 years from the Artist's death - so it'll be 2071 before i can put a ogg of the Aotearoa Overture on this blog for you to download.