Maricopa Community Colleges  MUC115   20006-99999 
Official Course Description:   MCCCD Approval:  04/25/00  
MUC115      20006-99999 LEC 2 Credit(s) 2 Period(s)
Song Copyrighting and Demos
Terms involved with copyright laws. Clarification of when copyright begins, ownership of copyright and registration, limitations of copyright, and when works become public domain. Phases of making a demonstration tape or CD. Promotion and presentation of a demo. Prerequisites: None
 
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
MUC115   20006-99999 Song Copyrighting and Demos
1. Explain basic concepts of copyrighting and ownership of copyright. (I)
2. Describe and contrast copyright issues and registration issues. (I)
3. Explain how and when a work becomes public domain. (II)
4. Identify production qualities of a finished demonstration tape/CD. (III)
5. Identify the most beneficial ways of dealing with professional studios and production services. (IV, V)
6. Explain how to promote and present a demonstration tape/CD. (VI)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
MUC115   20006-99999 Song Copyrighting and Demos
    I. Copyright Law
        A. Historical aspects
        B. Which types of works are included in the copyright?
        C. Time limits of some copyrights
        D. Ownership of the copyright
          1. When a copyright begins
          2. Who owns the copyright
          3. Exclusive rights of the copyright owner
          4. Limitations on the exclusive rights of copyright owner
          5. Areas not protected by copyright
          6. Copyright infringement
          7. Publishing agreements
        E. Benefits of registering a copyright
      II. Works in Public Domain
          A. Works written before copyright laws
          B. Works available after copyright ends
            1. Early copyrighted works available after twenty-eight years (fifty-six if extended)
            2. Current copyright works available seventy years after composers death
        III. Production Qualities of a Demonstration Tape/CD
            A. How elaborate to make the demo
            B. Length and type of demo
            C. Choice of songs for the demo
            D. Choice of arrangements of songs for the demo
          IV. Professional Studios and Production Services
              A. Type of music will help determine the type and size of studio
              B. Consider cost of time, tapes or tracks, equipment, studio personnel, room size, and sound engineer
              C. Special deals offered by studios
                1. Block booking
                2. Late hours and down time
                3. Up-front cash
            V. Beneficial Ways of Working with Professional Studios and Production Services
                A. Identify needs and hire studios with the right personnel and equipment
                B. Discuss the cost in complete detail
                  1. Learn all the ramifications of the specific equipment being used
                    a. Some equipment requires “remixing” time
                    b. Some signal-processing equipment is not available at all studios
                  2. Establish which sound engineer will be used
                  3. Establish the amount of help you can expect from any studio assistants
                C. Actual recording process
                  1. Double your estimated recording time
                  2. Rehearse the musicians and singers ahead of time
                  3. Make sure your engineer knows ahead of time what you want and how you want to do it
              VI. Promoting and Presenting a Demo
                  A. Place the best and most commercial song first on the tape
                  B. Don’t send Digital Audio Tape (DAT) unless requested
                  C. Always cue your tape to the beginning of the first song
                  D. Send a neatly typed lyric sheet
                  E. Never send more than four songs, unless requested
                  F. Make sure there is a copyright notice
                  G. Add a cover letter
                  H. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of your demo
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