I release all of my work under "copyleft" licenses that allow others to freely share, change, perform, and teach my music, with the hopes of contributing to a vibrant, creative taiko community. This page explains the details of using and contributing to copyleft works.
Copyleft is not "anything goes". Users of copyleft works have legal responsibilities they must meet in order to use the work. Nor is copyleft "always ask before you use". The empowerment of not needing to ask permission is one of the reasons for copyleft.
What is copyleft?
The copyright holder of a work (the composer, choreographer, etc) can use a copyleft license to grant users greater freedoms than those granted by standard copyright. While standard copyright restricts users from sharing works freely, using works for commercial purposes, and modifying works, a copyleft license explicitly grants users these freedoms, according to certain conditions.
These conditions generally include "Attribution" and "ShareAlike" clauses. "Attribution" requires that when the work is shared, attribution information is included; including creator name, copyright, license info, and link to the original work. "ShareAlike" requires that additions and changes to the work are also released copyleft.
Why copyleft?
Through the use of copyleft, I seek to encourage:
- the free study and practice of music. Users needn't ask permission.
- the royalty-free use of taiko repertoire for performance and recording, both for commercial and non-commercial uses.
- the freedom to modify and adapt works according to individual artistic vision.
- the freedom to teach and otherwise share music.
Attribution examples -- how to use unmodified work
The following emcee and printed program scenarios explain how to properly give attribution and meet the requirements of Attribution. Note: Users should also read and understand the actual license text before using the work.
Setting: A group includes Jack Bazaar in a school performance. (Whether the group is paid for the performance is not relevant.) An emcee will introduce the pieces and can meet the Attribution requirement by stating the work title, the author, the copyleft notice, and a way to access the original work and license details.
Example emcee statement:
"The next piece is called Jack Bazaar, written by Kristofer Bergstrom. The piece is copyleft, meaning others are free to learn and use it, and we can point you to more information if you're interested."
Setting: A group includes Jack Bazaar in a concert setting. There will be no emcee in this portion of the show. The following info in a written program would satisfy the Attribution requirements of the license.
Example written statement:
Jack Bazaar
by Kristofer Bergstrom
Copyright 2011
Released under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike International 4.0 license
http://taiko.la/repertoire/jack-bazaar
ShareAlike examples -- how to use a modified work
Modifying a work triggers the ShareAlike requirements. The fact that the work has been changed and access to the original should be given. The following emcee and printed program scenarios explain how to meet the requirements of Attribution and ShareAlike. Note: Users should also read and understand the actual license text before using the work.
Setting: A group rearranges Jack Bazaar for a concert performance to include new material the group has created. (Whether the group is paid for the performance is not relevant.) Because the group has changed the original work, a new name must be given to the piece. An emcee will introduce the song and can meet the Attribution and ShareAlike requirements by stating the new and original work titles, the new and original authors, the copyleft notice, and a way to access the original work.
Emcee statement:
"The next piece is called Jack and Jill Bazaar. It borrows from Jack Bazaar, written by Kristofer Bergstrom. Bergstrom's piece is copyleft, meaning others are free to learn and use it, so we took that piece and combined it with our own new moves. We've changed things a lot, so you might find it interesting to check out the original piece during intermission. There's a link at our website."
Setting: A group uses the first half of Jack Bazaar as an intro to their new piece. The new piece must also be released copyleft. A printed program meets the requirements of ShareAlike by stating the new and original work titles, the new and original authors, the copyleft notice, and a way to access the original work.
Written statement:
Jack and Jill Bazaar
by John Smith
copyright 2014
Includes a portion of "Jack Bazaar", by Kristofer Bergstrom, copyright 2011.
http://k--b.org/compositions/jack-bazaar
Both Jack and Jill Bazaar and Jack Bazaar are released under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike International 4.0 license.
For more examples, see Creative Commons best practices