From Studio to Stage: Safeguarding Your Choreography through Copyright

Unleash Your Creativity, Secure Your Rights

As a choreographer, you pour your heart and soul into crafting unique dance sequences. But in the whirlwind of rehearsals and performances, it's easy to overlook the crucial step of safeguarding your creation. The good news is, copyright law offers valuable protection for your original choreography, ensuring you get credit and control over its use. Here's your guide to navigating the copyright maze and securing your artistic rights:

1. Understand the Fixity Requirement:

Copyright grants exclusive rights to "original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression." This means your choreography, however brilliant, needs to be captured in a concrete form before it enjoys copyright protection. Documentation is key! You can fix your work through:

• Video recordings: This provides the most accurate representation of your choreography.

• Dance notation systems: Labanotation or Benesh Movement Notation offer standardized symbols to capture movement sequences.

• Detailed written descriptions: Break down the movements, timing, and formations into a script-like format.

• Photographs or drawings: While not as comprehensive as video, they can capture key steps and patterns.

2. Register Your Copyright:

While fixation allows basic copyright protection, registration with the U.S. Copyright Office strengthens your claim and makes it easier to enforce your rights. Here's how:

• Fill out Form PA: This application form is available online or by mail.

• Deposit a copy of your choreography: Submit your video recording, dance notation score, or detailed description.

• Pay the registration fee: Currently $55 for online applications and $65 for paper forms.

Registration provides a public record of your copyright claim, making it easier to prove ownership in case of infringement. It also grants you certain legal advantages, including the right to sue for damages and attorney fees if your work is copied.

3. Understand Copyright Scope:

Copyright protects the specific arrangement and sequence of your movements, not individual dance steps or common patterns. So, while pirouettes and pliés are not protectable in themselves, their unique combination in your routine might be. The level of originality plays a significant role. Familiar dance styles or generic sequences will have less copyright protection than innovative and distinctive arrangements.

4. Navigate Permissions and Limitations:

Once your choreography is copyrighted, you control its use and distribution. You can grant licences for specific purposes, such as:

• Performance licences: Allow others to perform your work for profit or non-profit purposes.

• Reproduction licences: Permit copying or recording your choreography for educational or promotional purposes.

You can also place limitations on your copyright, such as restricting commercial use or requiring attribution in performances.

5. Seek Legal Advice:

Copyright law can be complex, and nuances arise depending on your situation and the intended use of your choreography. Consider consulting with an intellectual property attorney specialising in creative works for personalised guidance.

Beyond Copyright:

Remember, copyright isn't your only line of defence. Consider these additional protection measures:

• Maintain clear documentation: Keep detailed notes on the creation process, including dates, collaborators, and inspirations.

• Use confidentiality agreements: Have dancers and collaborators sign agreements protecting your work from unauthorised disclosure.

• Watermark your videos: Add a subtle logo or copyright notice to video recordings of your choreography.

By taking these steps, you can confidently pirouette into the future, knowing your creative vision is protected and your original choreography gets the recognition it deserves. So, keep on dancing and remember, copyright is your partner in securing your artistic legacy.

Related Content