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[Alarick]

I have been reviewing some of the copyright laws and about the only one that is specific is regarding copying of software for the purposes of acrchiving.
After much searching I am unable to find anything saying you can or can't form a compilation of works and give it away.  It does state the material contained in a compilation is protected by the copyright present on that original material.  Reproducing a song for distribution is illegal so I fail to see the difference in reproducing many songs for distribution.  These laws are a bit of a mess.
[right][snapback]78486[/snapback][/right]

I agree wholeheartedly that the copyright laws are a mess.

As for distribution, it depends on the definition. There are many, including the RIAA and other similar groups, that would like to define this as any sort of distribution, be it a single copy or thousands. On the other hand, there are large groups that have a more lax definition, and much more vague. Gifts given among friends may not be distribution, though there is no definied line to these people.

I know there are parts of copyright that allow for things such as compilations and other things. I believe it falls under the Fair Use laws, but I'm not 100% sure how those work. Those are a even more complicated section of laws.

Maybe some day I'll have to ask some pre-law major friends about the concept. I don't know how much that will help, as there are law school devoted to copyright and trademark laws. It may be a bit over all of our heads.