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Description
he project seeks to contribute to the professional growth of DJs and musicians working with music remix. Unlike many other professional musicians, such as singers and concert performers, DJs lack a professional organization that would enable them to gather together to pursue their musical interests and would provide them with professional advice and assistance. The Union of Authors and Performers (SAI) seeks to increase the legal and professional awareness of DJs and to enhance their professional qualifications (for example, by drawing attention to the correct procurement of licences for the use of musical works and recordings for their own creative work or performances). Existing sources of information, which tend to be focused on traditional occupations in the field of popular music will be extended to the often neglected occupation of DJ and will consider questions related to remix practices in music production. In the first stage, the applicant will conduct a sociological survey of the needs of this professional group and the problems related to the use od copyrighted works in their follow-on creation (in remixing/sampling of recorded music). The sociological part of the project will entail mapping the practices, attitudes and needs of artists remixing/sampling music mainly in the styles of popular electronic music. Subsequently, the applicant will hold two workshops in Prague together with experts on management and law from the Czech Republic and Norway. The main output of the project will be a handbook for musicians with recommendations for best practices. The project will thus strengthen the capacity of the SAI, which will then also be able to focus on DJs in the future. It will, moreover, increase the professional qualifications of DJs as self-employed entrepreneurs, professionals who have so far received little attention from the SAI. It will also bring together Czech and Norwegian experts to exchange knowledge and best practices.
Summary of project results
The project sought a solution to the precarious position of artists (mainly those working with remixes) in creative industries by strengthening their rights and legal protection. It also focused on the authors'' (composers'' and musicians'') associations, particularly by extending the membership and improving internal capacity, by enhancing public presentation and ability to negotiate for improved conditions for creative work and to lobby for a better legal environment.
The project mapped the creation of music remixes on the electronic scene and its position in copyright law. It contributed to the professional growth and professionalization of DJs and creators working with music remix - hip hop, drum´n´bass, techno. We have done legal analysis and research of available licensing models. We have analyzed the licensing of the right to use existing music in remixing, sampling, deejaying. We conducted a survey of available licensing models, proposed improvements and used practical experience with a Norwegian partner. We have done also a sociological research where we collected experiences of musicians in using existing musical works and analyzed musicians'' knowledge of copyright mechanisms. We organized three workshops with the presentation of the results of mapping of the needs and problems of music remixers and examples of good practice - with Professor Galtung from Norway. We promoted the projects and its outputs via targeted campaign on social networks, radio campaign, leaflets, roll-ups and posters.
The main results of the project were the preparation of a research report, the publication of the Musician''s Practice Guide in the number of 9,000 copies and 3 workshops for artists. It was possible to establish a dialogue between collective copyright administrators and artists and achieve mutual communication. By cooperating with a Norwegian partner, we also gained insight and experience from abroad and were able to compare with the domestic state of copyright and remix. The project opened up a topic that had not yet been reflected on the domestic copyright and art scene. The description of the situation and the practical implications are described in the Musician''s Guide to Practice, providing such important information to artists. In the long term, it was possible to establish communication between artists from the electronic scene with collective administrators and at the same time show the situation in the world and compare it with Czech practice.
Summary of bilateral results
Our partner, Andreas Galtung from a Norwegian university, shared good practice in the copyright issue of remixes. He described how copyright works in remixes in Scandinavia, which is one of the most important areas of this music sector worldwide.Professor Galtung participated in the implementation of the research report, provided useful suggestions and shared his perspective on the practice of domestic and foreign partners and collective administrators.