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2.4 Sound Recordings

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Overview

What is a sound recording?

A sound recording is the recording of:

Sound recordings  includes vinyl, audio cassettes, plastic discs, reel to reel tapes, CDs, digital audio tape and MP3 files and any other method for storing sounds.

It is important to note that there was no protection for sound recordings prior to 1 May 1969. Prior to 1 May 1969, the musical and literary works recorded in the sound recording were protected as a musical work or literary work respectively.

Copying and communicating sound recordings

The Copyright Act contains a number of free use exceptions and other matters which allow copyright material to be used without the permission of the copyright owner.

In general, copyright in a sound recording will not be infringed if done:

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  1. Fair dealing 

    The copying of sound recordings for fair dealing purposes is free and does not require the permission of the copyright owner. The relevant fair dealing exceptions are:

  2. Flexible dealing 

    Schools and TAFE institutes can now use sound recordings for non-commercial teaching purposes if the use is not covered by another exception or Statutory or Voluntary Licence. To use the flexible dealings exception teachers must assess whether:

    • the proposed use is narrow
    • it would conflict with a normal way the copyright owner exploits the material and
    • the use would unreasonably harm the copyright owner.

    One example of an activity covered by the flexible dealings exception is copying an MP3 file of a song that has been purchased from an on-line music store into a PowerPoint presentation to play in class. Another example might be making a digital file of a French language song that is not available for purchase in digital format for inclusion in a podcast for a French language class. See information sheet "Format Shifting and the Copyright Amendment Act - What am I allowed to do?" for further information

  3. Other educational exceptions
    1. Public performance of a sound recording in class

      Copyright is not infringed by a teacher or student playing a sound recording while giving or receiving educational instruction in a class.

      See 1.13: Educational Exceptions: Performance of Material in Class for further information

    2. Communication of sound recording for classroom performance

      The Copyright Act allows Schools and TAFE institutes to communicate sound recordings for performance to a classroom/virtual classroom (eg streaming music from the Internet in class or playing a CD using an electronic reticulation system).

      See 1.13: Educational Exceptions: Communication of Materials to a Class for further information

    3. Public performance of sound recordings by non-profit institutions

      The Copyright Act provides an exception which allows the public performance and communication to the public of sound recordings by non- profit educational institutions whose principal objects are charitable or in some way concerned with the advancement of religion, education or social welfare.

  4. Other statutory exceptions
    1. Copying sound recordings for preservation or archiving

      Libraries are permitted to make a copy of a sound recording in their collection for the purpose of retaining it in their archives or for preservation/back up if a copy cannot be acquired within a reasonable time at an ordinary commercial price.

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  5. Voluntary Licences 

    AMCOS/APRA/ARIA Licence 

    Schools have a Voluntary Licence to allow copying of musical works and sound recordings for non-commercial educational purposes.

    All government schools and most non government schools are covered by this licence.

    The licence allows schools to:

    for the following purposes:

    • performing live music at a school event
    • playing recorded music (eg a CD) at a school event, such as an assembly, school concert or sports day
    • for analysis by students as part of a lesson.

    Copies of the recording may be distributed to the students or kept in the school archives as a record of the event. There is no limit on the number of copies that may be archived or distributed to students. However, the school is not permitted to charge students or parents more than the direct cost of making a reproduction of the audio or video recording.

    See Education Licence E: AMCOS/APRA/ARIA Licence for further information

    See also FAQs: Sound Recordings

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