How to Report Copyright Violations of Recorded Music
Recorded music is enjoyed every day, most commonly in digital format on portable media players like iPods and mobile phones. Usually such recorded music is under copyright, which means that it can't be reproduced, redistributed or copied without permission from the artist or publisher. Unfortunately, there are many instances where recorded music copyrights are violated. If you are an artist or other individual who has come across a case of copyright infringement for recorded music, then you can report the infringement. There are three main methods of doing this.
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Instructions
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Reporting Through the Music Publisher's Association (MPA)
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Open your web browser and go to mpa.org.
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On the MPA homepage, single left click on "Copyright Resource Center."
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On the Copyright Resource Center page, single left click on "Forms."
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On the Forms page, single left click on "Form for Reporting Copyright Violations."
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A PDF of the form for reporting violations of copyright should open in your browser. Based on your preference settings, you may get a pop-up window that asks if you want to open the file. If you get the pop up, just single left click on "OK" or "yes." Print and fill out the form.
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Mail the completed form to the following address (on the form):
Music Publishers' Association
243 Fifth Avenue
Suite 236
New York, NY 10016
Reporting Through the Internet Crime Complaint Center
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Open your browser and go to ic3.gov.
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Scroll down to the bottom of the page and single left click on "File a Complaint."
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Read the terms and conditions of filing a complaint, and then single left click on "I Accept."
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Select "No" when asked if the incident involves SPAM if applicable. Then single left click on "Next." Also select "No" and "Next" for the question about whether the incident involved a spoof of an FBI email.
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On the next screen, make sure you select "Copyright" and then click "next." Select "music" and "Next" from the following screen. On the screen that follows, there will be a lengthy form in which you can provide detailed information about the copyright violation. Fill this out and then click "Next" and you will be done.
Reporting Through the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)
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Go to riaa.com. On the bottom of the page, click on "Report Piracy."
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Click on the link that is appropriate for your type of violation (i.e., online vs. physical).
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Fill out the form that is brought up and click "Submit."
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If you do not want to report the infringement using the Internet, call 1-800-BAD-BEAT.
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Tell the representative the specifics of the infringment, including the URL, store name, artist or specific tracks involved.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the MPA form when your copyright violation has not involved the World Wide Web (e.g,. someone copied a bunch of your CDs and sold them for profit). Use the ic3.gov website if your recorded music has been violated through illegal use online (e.g., redistribution on websites, posted on blogs).
