Understanding Copyright and Fair Use in the Music Classroom

Abstract

Many music educators do not sufficiently understand the complicated system of U.S. copyright law or what constitutes “fair use,” resulting in both illegal and overly conservative practices. Increasingly accessible recording and distribution technology has also led to common practices such as posting performances on YouTube, creating rehearsal tracks, and student arranging projects for performance. Though current laws are not designed to address these practices, musicians and copyright holders alike seem to have moved on without legislation. This article offers a brief summary of copyright law as it pertains to music teachers, including discussions of fair use and the public domain and some legal alternatives to copyright infringement.