Can students use commercially-recorded music in their films and DVDs?

Yes – in some circumstances. Students are able to incorporate parts of musical works or sound recordings, as well as extracts from existing films and other audio-visual works, in their films or videos providing that this is done within the fair dealing provisions of the Copyright Act – which means: • the purpose of the video/film must be connected with the student’s course of study at the school; • the video/film can only be played at school or in the student’s home - it may not be used for any other purpose – e.g. entry into a film festival or competition; inclusion in an employment portfolio. (Any such use would require separate permission through AMCOS for the use of musical works, and ARIA for use of any commercial sound recording. Use of an extract from a film would also require additional permission through the film producer or copyright owner noted in the film. Important note: The music that students use must be a copy of legitimately acquired music. Also, students should ...