Copies of Printed or Recorded Music Guidelines

Safest Use

Portion Limitations:

Printed Music

a. Emergency Performance: All necessary copies may be made to replace purchased copies which for any reason are not available for an imminent performance – as long as replacement copies are purchased as soon as possible.

b. Non-performance: Single or multiple copies of excerpts of works may be made, as long as those excerpts do not constitute a “performable unit” – e.g. a section, movement or aria. In any case, no more than 10% of the whole work may be copied, and only one copy should be made for each student.

Sound Recordings

a. Student Performances: A single copy may be made for evaluation or rehearsal purposes.

b. Copyrighted Works: A single copy of a recording (cassette, disc or digital audio file) may be made from sound recordings owned by the institution or a faculty member for the purpose of constructing aural exercises or examinations.

Time Limitations:

Printed Music

a. Emergency Performance: Copies made for performance purposes should be replaced with purchased copies as soon as reasonably possible.

Sound Recordings

a. Student Performances: A copy made for evaluation or rehearsal purposes may be retained by the institution or the faculty member.

b. Copyrighted Works: A copy made for conducting exercises or examinations may be retained by the institution or the faculty member.

Other Limitations:

• Copies should not be made to replace or substitute for anthologies, compilations or collective works

• Copies should not be made of “consumable” works (workbooks, standardized tests, etc)

• Copies should not be made for performance purposes, other than emergency replacements

• Copies (other than those outlined above) should not be made to substitute for the purchase of music

• All copies should include the copyrighted notice that appears on the original

Questionable Use

For possible uses of copyrighted materials that exceed the portion, time and access/distribution limitations outlined above, please do the following:

• Complete a Fair Use Checklist (.pdf) to determine if your use may still qualify as fair use.

• If you are still uncertain, contact the Copyright Help Desk.

Dangerous Use

Portion:

Printed Music

a. Emergency Performance: Making more copies than are necessary to replace missing copies for the purpose of the performance.

b. Non-performance: Making copies (single or multiple) of entire “performable units” (e.g. section, movement, aria) or entire works.

Sound Recordings

a. Student Performances: Making multiple copies and/or making one or more copies available for uses other than evaluation or rehearsal.

b. Copyrighted Works: Making multiple copies of a recording (cassette, disc or digital audio file) and/or making one or more copies available for uses other than constructing exercises and examinations.

Time:

Printed Music

a. Emergency Performance: Keeping copies made as emergency replacements and reusing them when other copies are readily available for purchase.

Other:

• Making copies to replace or substitute for anthologies, compilations or collective works

• Making copies of “consumable” works (workbooks, standardized tests, etc)

• Making copies for performance purposes, other than emergency replacements

• Making copies (other than those outlined above) to substitute for the purchase of music

• Not including a copyright notice on copies made