Using copywritten material for fundraising

[Jasper87]

Hi,
I run a social enterprise in Nairobi-Kenya, and I'd like to set up a social media challenge to spread the word of my crowdfunding. The challenge - as proposed- is to get people to reenact a scene from Disney's The lion King(Circle Of Life) to signify helping out at risk children within my country.

Will I be infringing their copyright by doing this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Zigner]

Hi,
I run a social enterprise in Nairobi-Kenya, and I'd like to set up a social media challenge to spread the word of my crowdfunding. The challenge - as proposed- is to get people to reenact a scene from Disney's The lion King(Circle Of Life) to signify helping out at risk children within my country.

Will I be infringing their copyright by doing this?

Thanks in advance.

Sorry, this forum is for US law only. With that said, why can't you simply come up with something original instead of stealing Disney's work?

 

[Jasper87]

Thanks. It's actually a lip dub/Karaoke project. Not stealing. And, I get that this applies to US law. That's why I asked if it will be of any harm to people residing in the states.
People post lip dubs or covers on social media sites.
If I use it to market a fundraiser, Is it illegal?

 

[Zigner]

Thanks. It's actually a lip dub/Karaoke project. Not stealing. And, I get that this applies to US law. That's why I asked if it will be of any harm to people residing in the states.
People post lip dubs or covers on social media sites.
If I use it to market a fundraiser, Is it illegal?

AGAIN, this forum is for US law matters only. You will need to find local counsel to assist you with this matter. And, AGAIN, why can't you use original material instead of stealing Disney's?

ETA: Just because other people do it doesn't make it legal.

 

[Jasper87]

Um, You're not getting what I'm asking and I get what you're saying about seeking local counsel.
But; If American citizens do take it on, will they be liable for prosecution? Other people have posted lip dubs or parodies/covers, but I doubt they did it to fund-raise. They are not prosecuted.
So, if I do it from my country, and American citizens take it on. Copied project or not; will they be in trouble for it?

 

[quincy]

Um, You're not getting what I'm asking and I get what you're saying about seeking local counsel.
But; If American citizens do take it on, will they be liable for prosecution? Other people have posted lip dubs or parodies/covers, but I doubt they did it to fund-raise. They are not prosecuted.
So, if I do it from my country, and American citizens take it on. Copied project or not; will they be in trouble for it?

Could participants in your fundraising project be in trouble if they publish online themselves lip syncing to copyrighted music? Possibly, yes.

For karaoke, the music is (generally) licensed for use and if you intend to build your entire fundraising campaign on rights-protected material, you will want permission from the holders of these rights.

Disney is not shy about sending cease and desist letters and suing individuals who, without authorization, use their copyrighted material or their trademarks, this whether the use could (in the US) be considered a fair use (or de minimis) or not. And they do not limit suits over infringement to individuals living in the US.

Your first concern should be your own country's IP laws as those are the laws under which YOU will be sued. For a link to these laws, you can visit the World Intellectual Property Organization's website: http://www.wipo.org

Although I applaud your idea to raise funds to help children, it is recommended that you get proper permissions in place prior to starting your campaign. You might find the holders of rights are more than happy to assist you in your efforts.

Good luck.

 

[Jasper87]

Got it.

Thank you Quincy.

 

[quincy]

Got it.

Thank you Quincy.

You're welcome, Jasper87.

Thanks for the thanks.

Good luck.

 

[FlyingRon]

And by the way the term is COPYRIGHT as in the right to copy, not copyWRITE.

 

[quincy]

And by the way the term is COPYRIGHT as in the right to copy, not copyWRITE.

That is an awfully common error.

And the "copy" in copyright applies to ALL of the exclusive rights of the copyright holder, too - not just the making of a copy or reproduction of a rights-protected work.

Copyrights cover exclusive reproduction rights, publication rights, distribution rights, display rights, performance rights, and the rights to make adaptations or derivatives.