Reed Music and Copyright
Reed Music publications may not be copied.
Reed Music and the AMCOS agreement
The AMCOS licence, established in 1991 allows Australian school teachers to make photocopies of print music publications under certain circumstances. Reed Music publications are not included in this agreement. Although Reed Music appreciates that you are using our publications and want to share them with your students...
You may not:
- Make photocopies of Reed Music publications for your students.
- Buy a full band composition and copy extra parts for the students.
- Make rehearsal copies for the students.
- Photocopy the music for the student to try at home.
- Buy a 'class set' and copy the music for the students.
- Use the 'AMCOS licensed copy' stamp on Reed Music publications.
- Buy a Reed Music audio recording (CD or digital) and copy it for your students.
- etc...
A special note for Australian instrumental teachers.
Many instrumental teachers believe that it is okay to photocopy music for their students if the schools or teacher owns a copy of the music.
This is not the case. Instrumental music teachers are completely exempt and have never been part of the AMCOS Schools' Photocopying Licence, it is for classroom music only. Instrumental teachers must be aware that any photocopies made in the process of teaching instrumental music are illegal and may be subject to considerable fines under Australian law.
Instrumental teachers may not:
- Photocopy music they own for their students.
- Photocopy a page from a collection of works.
- Photocopy the music for the pianist to perform from.
- Buy the music and copy it year after year for the students.
Why is Reed Music not included in the AMCOS licence?
Each year, millions of dollars collected through the AMCOS and participating schools in Australia. The AMCOS Schools' Photocopying Licence costs 56.62 cents per student per year. Regular surveys are conducted to see which music is being photocopied in schools and then an average is established and paid back to copyright holders, usually the publisher, who then passes it on to the composers. However, there are many more parties involved in the music industry. For example, in the above scenario, music stores have missed out up to 30 sales for each copy of the music they have sold, but never receive any financial compensation. Although the AMCOS agreement is widely implemented throughout Australia, it is poorly understood. As such, the agreement is abused and composers are missing out.
Reed Music believes that Australian music students should own original music.
- Buying music rewards the composers and arrangers and offers them some financial compensation for their creative work. (Keep copying their music and they write less music).
- Students with original music gain a respect for the music that is not seen from a random collection of photocopies.
- Music books are often written to be systematic and progressive. Giving a students a page from many different books fragments their learning. If you have an idea for a better book, write one and get it published.
- Photocopying, although easy, is entirely illegal.
Do you copy music?
As music teachers who make their living form teaching music, you may appreciate your regularly salaried income. Copying music and not buying the required originals is a sign of profound disrespect for the music profession and shows a complete lack of regard for other creative individuals. If you do not buy composers music, they do not get paid. It is that simple. Would you keep teaching music if you did not get paid?
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